The principle of accountability is an ancient one, originated by God Himself. It basically means one has to answer to another. Who should answer to whom and why, is always a source of contention for many. The result of this contentious attitude is the lack of peace, joy, and contentment in our relationships with one another and with our creator. Below are five reasons why we must learn to escape the consequences and turmoil associated with living our lives as though we are accountable to no one.

·        ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD.  Ultimately, everyone would have to answer to God someday; on the Day of Judgment. Whether we believe it or not, we are accountable to God for our days on Earth, for good or for bad. Living with a consciousness of this fact means that we must learn to be accountable here and now.

·        RESPONSIBILITY. A life of accountability entails taking responsibility for our decisions and actions. Too many people are very comfortable with shifting the blame of their mistakes and misfortunes on other people or situations. This inadvertently leads to complacency and immaturity. There would be no global or personal development if nobody is accountable to another or to a cause.

·        PROMOTION OF ETHICS AND DEVELOPMENT.  A world without ethics would be the graveyard of professionalism and a workplace of chaos. This is why we have organizations that attempt to uphold at least some accountability, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). People have expectations which must be met when other people render any form of goods or services to them. Accountability in the workplace encourages creativity, encourages respect, and enhances cooperation amongst people of different backgrounds and talents, for the common cause of corporate development.

·        PROMOTION OF HONEST AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.  We can be free from making cheap mistakes that may turn out to become stumbling blocks of discouragement, if we surround ourselves with people who are not afraid to tell us the truth about our character flaws. Flaws, which run contrary to sensible judgment. Friends who give us the privilege of escaping pitfalls in our life journeys, by sharing with us their experiences as a way of protecting us from making the same mistakes.

·        BUILD STRONG CHARACTERS.   Accountability sometimes means confronting our weaknesses with equal zeal as we would face our strengths. It may mean facing criticisms, from friends and associates, be they constructive or otherwise.  By seeking out relationships in which we are answerable to one another, we become committed to honesty, open-mindedness and vulnerability.  The saying “To thyself be true” explains this concept best. It takes strength and maturity to confront one’s own flaws. This would in essence build rock solid character traits that can face almost challenges in life.