In business, accountability is more than simply keeping promises. It’s about taking full responsibility for our actions, showing up when we say we will, and following through on commitments. This isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about trust. And trust is one of the strongest currencies in business.
“The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life.”
The Power of Facing Our Shadow in Professional Growth
Carl Jung, the Swiss psychologist, spoke about the importance of recognising our “shadow”, those hidden or less comfortable parts of ourselves that we would often rather ignore. For many professionals, this shadow can show up as procrastination, fear of failure, the urge to avoid difficult conversations, or even the temptation to make excuses.
The truth is, denying these parts of ourselves doesn’t make them go away. But becoming aware of them does something powerful: it gives us the ability to grow. Through honest self-reflection, we can see where we fall short and use that awareness as a tool for improvement.
© Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography
When we practise accountability in our business, we are doing exactly that:
Facing our shadow: admitting when we’ve fallen short instead of hiding from it. By acknowledging mistakes openly, we can adjust our systems, communication, or strategy to prevent them in the future.
Turning awareness into strength: every time we take responsibility, we transform a setback into growth. What could have been a weakness becomes a stepping stone.
Building authentic trust: clients, colleagues, and partners value honesty far more than perfection. Owning our mistakes and learning from them shows strength of character and builds long-term respect.
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
How Accountability Builds Authentic Trust
Accountability also changes how we receive criticism. When we are aware of our shadows, we don’t take feedback as a personal attack. Instead, we can see the point behind it and use it as an opportunity to strengthen our business and our service.
For business owners and professionals, accountability isn’t a burden, it’s a competitive advantage. By facing our less comfortable sides and choosing responsibility, we become stronger leaders, more reliable partners, and better equipped to serve others. And ultimately, that’s how we grow, not just in business, but as people.
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