Over the past few weeks, since the January 6 attack on the Capital, there has been a lot of talk about accountability.

I appreciated Brené Brown’s thoughtful podcast on how we need accountability with those who use and amplify dehumanizing language towards others. Brown talks about how we will move towards a more compassionate and just world when those who dehumanize others are held accountable.

Accountability is also the last step of the Liberatory Consciousness model, which is the focus of this series on The Ross Collective blog.

Interestingly, the way we’re using accountability in this moment isn’t exactly the way it is used in Liberatory Consciousness – or is it?

Before we dig in, I want to share thoughts about accountability and responsibility. Often, these words are used interchangeably, but I think accountability is the next level of responsibility. Responsibility is a core element to accountability. Accountability requires personal investment and ownership.

In our current moment, accountability is the idea that before there can be healing or unity, those who incited violence, anger, and hate must be held accountable.

In Liberatory Consciousness, the idea is that we each are accountable to those who experience injustice. As we build plans and take new actions, we must hear and account for the perspectives of those experiencing inequity.

All of this has gotten me thinking about how accountability works and when we feel it in our day-to-day experience.

We each have multiple circles of accountability:

• If you’re an employee, you’re accountable to your boss and team to meet and exceed job requirements.

• For those of us who are self-employed, we’re accountable to our clients to deliver outstanding work.

• Nonprofit leaders are accountable to their funders and donors to report how they used individual or institutional contributions.

• A nonprofit Executive Director is accountable to the Board to keep the organization financially sustainable, using resources effectively for the public good.

• For nonprofit organizations, accountability to clients is a consideration in any strategic planning process. A key component of the discussion is who the organization serves and its effectiveness in doing it.

We also have personal circles of accountability:

• We are accountable to our pets. If we don’t take care of them, they’ll find ways to let us know that we let them down!

• Children are accountable to their parents – to learn, play, do chores, and contribute to family needs.

• We may be accountable to sick neighbors or community members who need our support.

• We’re even accountable to plants (indoor and outdoor) who will die if not given food, water, and love.

• We are accountable to our planet and to nature – to steward our valuable resources.

 Accountability is the idea that we are connected to others and have a responsibility to them.

The interesting question is: How wide does our accountability go?

In order to move towards justice, we need to widen our circles of accountability.

When we make statements, take actions or move towards change, we need to learn from the people impacted by those changes to find out whether these changes are the right ones.

How does this happen? Through a key principle of racial equity: As a process, we apply racial equity when those most impacted by structural racial inequity are meaningfully involved in the creation and implementation of the institutional policies and practices that impact their lives (from Center for Social Inclusion).

For organizations, accountability means thinking about whose voices are missing and what processes need to be put into place in order to amplify those voices.

Organizations find the energy to do this when they reflect on why this is important.

For example, a current strategic planning client works on natural resource and environmental issues in California. It is clear that the future (and present!) of California includes people who are Black, Latinx, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, White, and Multi-racial. The organization’s future work will be at the highest level if its planning and decision making is reflective of the people most affected.

Note: this is Part 5 of a 5 part series.

Read Part 1 here: Whenever given the choice, choose love

Part 2 here: The powerful and heart-centered act of noticing

Part 3 here: Confronting resistance with love

Part 4 here: In a dangerous moment, take strong action