--- title: "217 words on the word \"Accountable\"" description: "217 words on the word \"Accountable\"" image: https://info.eosworldwide.com/hs-fs/file-3096439097-gif/blog-files/217-words-on-the-word-accountable.gif --- - [2020 EOS Conference](https://eosconference.com/) - Request a Speaker - [Become an EOS Implementer](https://eosi.eosworldwide.com) - [Find an EOS Implementer](https://eosimplementers.com/) - Contact - [**Login to Base Camp**](https://bc.eosworldwide.com) - [Base Camp](https://www.eosworldwide.com/base-camp-overview) - [Blog](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog) [MENU](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/103979/eos/217-words-word-accountable/#sidr) - What is EOS? - [EOS Model](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/eos-model) - [EOS Process](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/eos-process) - [EOS Toolbox](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/eos-toolbox) - [EOS History & Team](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/eos-story-team) - [EOS Implementers](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/what-is-an-eos-implementer) - Why EOS Works - [Why EOS Works](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/why-eos-works) - [Real World Results](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/testimonials) - [EOS Books](https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-library) - [EOS Tools](https://www.eosworldwide.com/eos-tools) - [Base Camp](https://www.eosworldwide.com/base-camp-overview) - [**Get Started**](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/get-started) - [Find an EOS Implementer](https://www.eosimplementers.com) - [Become an Implementer](https://eosi.eosworldwide.com) - [Contact](https://eosworldwide.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Base Camp Login](https://basecamp.eosworldwide.com) - [Blog](http://blog.eosworldwide.com) - [Request a Speaker](https://www.eosworldwide.com/book-a-speaker) - [2020EOS Conference](https://eosconference.com/) Close ![Header-Placeholder.jpg](https://info.eosworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/eos-blog2.jpg?width=1678&name=eos-blog2.jpg "Header-Placeholder.jpg") ## EOS Worldwide Blog Advice and Insight for Entrepreneurs and Leadership Teams ##### Search the Blog : # [217 words on the word "Accountable"](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/103979/eos/217-words-word-accountable/) Written by[Walt Brown](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/author/walt-brown) on September 29, 2014 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Implementers](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/topic/implementers) [EOS](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/topic/eos) **[![217 Words on the word Accountable](https://info.eosworldwide.com/hs-fs/file-3096439097-gif/blog-files/217-words-on-the-word-accountable.gif?width=250&height=212&name=217-words-on-the-word-accountable.gif)](https://info.eosworldwide.com/hs-fs/file-3096439097-gif/blog-files/217-words-on-the-word-accountable.gif)Lessons we learn by listening to how people use words. Words are the foundation of our corporate culture.** This term, "Accountability", gets thrown around a ton in my world, and, frankly, I believe it is: 1. misused, and, 2. speaks a thousand words about the person using it. The way a Leader or Manager use the words Accountable or Accountability reveals if they tend toward Leadership or Management. **Please answer this by putting an X beside the sentence that describes what you want, A or B. Be honest and choose your first "come to mind".** \_\_\_ A - I want an organization where I can hold my people accountable. OR \_\_\_ B - I want an organization where my people hold themselves accountable.   **Can you see and feel the difference between these two sentences?** Folks often say A. when they really mean B. They *never* say B, when they mean A. Honestly, being true to yourself, what do you really want? A or B >>> it is key to know thy self. These questions could be written more clearly using the words responsible \* and accountable\*\*. \_\_\_ C - I want an organization where I can *hold my people* ***responsible****.\* (Managing)* AND \_\_\_ D - I want an organization where my people *hold themselves* ***accountable*.**\*\* (Leading) I listen closely to my client's language. If they are A or C they tend toward and like Management, if they are B or D they tend toward and prefer Leadership. Words make a big difference, their proper and consistent use are the foundation of every unique company culture. Know they self.   \*\* Accountability v. \* Responsibility   Merriam Webster and Oxford Definitions of Accountability, Accountable, Responsibility and Responsible below: \*\***ac·count·abil·i·ty** ***noun*** \\ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\\ **:** the quality or state of being accountable; (Oxford The fact or condition of being accountable) **ac·count·able** ***adjective*** \\ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl\\ : required to explain actions or ***decisions*** to someone (Oxford) (Of a person, organization, or institution) required or expected to justify actions or decisions) \***re·spon·si·bil·i·ty** ***noun*** \\ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\\ : the state of being the person who caused something to happen : a duty or ***task*** that you are required or expected to do (Oxford The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone) **re·spon·si·ble** ***adjective*** \\ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl\\ : having the job or duty of dealing with or taking care of something or someone (Oxford: Having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role)     --- More Blog Posts: ← [Not Your Average Survey](http://blog.eosworldwide.com/blog/103935/eos/average-survey/) | [Bald tires & blowouts](http://blog.eosworldwide.com/blog/104025/eos/bald-tires-blowouts/) → ![eos-tools-dark.jpg](http://www.eosworldwide.com/hubfs/eos-tools-dark.jpg "eos-tools-dark.jpg") ## Unlock The Toolbox. 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