Accountability is a cornerstone of a thriving organizational culture, yet shifting blame remains a persistent challenge for many teams.
This habit, often rooted in fear of failure or lack of ownership, can erode workforce morale, hinder growth, and lead to a 20% drop in employee engagement, according to a 2024 Gallup report.
As businesses navigate the complexities of 2025—including a 3.5% unemployment rate (SHRM, 2025) and heightened competition for talent—fostering accountability is more critical than ever.
The HR Spotlight team reached out to HR and business leaders to address the query:
Shifting blame comes easy to some employees, a habit that can be quite detrimental to workforce morale and growth. What are your go-to solutions to improving accountability within your workforce?
From cultivating transparent communication to leveraging technology for performance tracking, their strategies offer a roadmap for building a culture of ownership and collaboration, ensuring teams thrive in an era of economic and cultural shifts.
Read on!
Garrett Yamasaki
Fostering accountability starts with radical transparency and ownership. We ditched traditional top-down oversight for a system where every team member, from developers to customer support, co-owns quarterly OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). For example, our “Customer Delight” OKR includes metrics like response time (owned by CX) and product defect rates (owned by engineering).
Weekly check-ins aren’t about status updates but problem-solving together. If a shipping delay occurs, logistics leads present root causes and solutions, not excuses. This shifts blame into collective responsibility, as teams see how their work impacts others. Tools like 15Five track progress publicly, so there’s nowhere to hide, but also no shame in asking for help.
We also gamify accountability with peer recognition tied to impact. Our “Doodle MVP” program lets employees award virtual “bones” (via Bonusly) to colleagues who step up, like a warehouse manager who redesigned our packing workflow to cut errors by 25%. These bones convert to real rewards (extra PTO, charity donations), but social recognition matters most.
Finally, data is the ultimate accountability partner. We use Tableau dashboards to link individual KPIs to customer outcomes. For instance, if a marketer’s campaign drives traffic but has a high bounce rate, they’re tasked with auditing UX friction, not just celebrating clicks. This creates a culture where metrics are mentors, not micromanagers. When accountability feels like empowerment (not punishment) teams stop dodging blame and start chasing impact.
Shannon Estreller
Director of People, EvolveMKD
Shannon Estreller
At EvolveMKD, “Be Kind, Don’t Suck” isn’t just a catchy credo. We believe in fostering a performance-based culture rooted in respect and kindness. Our core values—passion, enthusiasm, transparency, teamwork, and restless discontent—are crucial to this.
Operating with restless discontent is a big part of accountability for us. It means we’re always looking to improve and grow, both individually and as a team. We see challenges and mistakes as opportunities to learn and develop.
Open communication and feedback are key to our approach, helping us stay aligned with our roles and responsibilities. This way, we can tackle challenges together instead of shifting blame, fostering trust and mutual respect among team members.
Ultimately, when we’re aligned with one another, employees can see their impact on the team’s success, which encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility. At EvolveMKD, accountability is about embracing a growth mindset and holding ourselves accountable for how we show up for each other.
Jasmine Charbonier
I’ve found that accountability starts from day 1 of employment. In my experience managing teams across different departments, setting crystal clear expectations upfront makes all the difference.
Back in April, I implemented a new system where each team member documented their key responsibilities in their own words — not some corporate handbook garbage, but real, practical stuff they own. The results were impressive, with about 85% fewer “that’s not my job” situations.
The thing is, most accountability issues stem from fuzzy boundaries and unclear ownership. So I started having weekly stand-ups (keeping them to 15 mins max) where team members share what they’re working on and any roadblocks. But here’s the key — I make sure everyone knows it’s not about catching people doing things wrong. It’s about identifying where support is needed.
I personally believe in the power of leading by example. When I messed up a client presentation last September, I owned it immediately in front of my team. Sent a clear message that mistakes happen, but hiding them or blaming others isn’t our style. That single moment shifted the dynamic dramatically — suddenly my team felt safer admitting their own missteps.
Metrics matter too, but not in that soul-crushing corporate way. I work with each person to set their own performance targets (with my guidance, of course). They’re way more invested when they help create the standards they’re measured against. And it works — saw a 40% boost in project completion rates using this approach.
Here’s something that might sound counterintuitive — I actually encourage calculated risk-taking. Told my team I’d rather see them make bold moves & fail occasionally than play it safe & achieve nothing. Created this thing called “failure fridges” where we share lessons from our mistakes over coffee. Sounds weird maybe, but it’s transformed how we handle setbacks.
And documentation — can’t stress this enough. Not endless paperwork, but simple project tracking that shows who’s doing what & when. Started using a basic shared dashboard (nothing fancy, just spreadsheets really) where everyone updates their status. Cuts through the “I thought someone else was handling that” nonsense real quick.
The most important piece though: Recognition. When someone owns their responsibilities & crushes it, I make sure everyone knows. Not just a quick “good job” in passing — I’m talking specific callouts about what they did & why it mattered. This positive reinforcement creates a cycle where people actually want to be accountable.
Stephanie Pittman
A Communication Coach/Improvement Solution
Stephanie Pittman
Shifting blame is a natural human response. When we make a mistake or feel called out, our instinct is often to protect ourselves, guard our image, and avoid criticism. But while that instinct is normal, it’s not helpful. Especially in a workplace where progress depends on taking responsibility.
When blame-shifting or defensiveness creeps in, we move into denial mode instead of a productive, solutions-oriented space. I work with a lot of leaders who ask: How can I get my employees to take more ownership of their work?
Here are my go-to strategies:
Learn how your employees prefer to receive feedback: Everyone’s different. Some people appreciate being told in the moment, others prefer written notes they can digest privately, and some want scheduled feedback so they can mentally prepare.
One leader I coached was frustrated that his team kept repeating the same mistakes, despite her constant feedback. When we dug deeper, we realized his “on-the-fly” corrections were stressing the team out. Once he shifted to weekly one-on-ones with space for calm, clear feedback, performance improved across the board.
And don’t save it all for annual performance reviews. Regular, constructive feedback builds trust and keeps issues from piling up.
Focus on the action, not the person: Words matter. Instead of saying, “You always mess up the math on these reports. Do better,” try: “Can you double-check the numbers on this report before sending it?”
This simple shift keeps the tone professional and encourages responsibility without triggering shame or defensiveness.
Lead by example: Accountability starts at the top. If you want your team to own their mistakes, you’ve got to model that behavior first. Be transparent. Admit when you mess up. Own your part.
I’ll never forget a professional I worked with who made a public mistake during a high-stakes project. Instead of brushing it off, she opened the next team meeting by saying, “I missed something important, and it affected your work. Here’s what I learned from it, and how I plan to prevent it moving forward.”
Her team respected her more (not less) for that moment of honesty. And guess what? They started showing up with more ownership too.
Bottom line: Accountability isn’t about calling people out. It’s about calling them up. Invite your team into a culture of responsibility where feedback is clear, mistakes are learning opportunities, and everyone (from intern to exec) knows they’re safe to grow.
George Burgess
Serial Entrepreneur, Modern Day Talent
George Burgess
The key has to be very clear deliverables and deadlines. If these are documented, accountability becomes crystal clear.
By implementing this approach, we foster a culture of transparency where team members understand exactly what is expected of them, when, and why.
We support these clear objectives with consistent communication channels that allow for real-time progress tracking and immediate problem-solving.
Our goal is to create an ownership-driven environment that empowers employees by providing the necessary tools and resources, while establishing a safe space for acknowledging challenges and seeking proactive solutions.
Cassy Nychay
People & Culture Manager, Vladimir Jones
Cassy Nychay
Shifting blame can undermine both the individual and team morale, impacting the overall growth of the organization. Building and maintaining a culture of accountability requires consistent effort from top to bottom and a strategic approach.
Below are five strategies that I have found effective in fostering accountability across teams:
Clear Expectations and Transparent Communication: The foundation of accountability starts with clear, well-communicated expectations. When employees know what is expected of them, they are better equipped to take ownership of their tasks. Regular team meetings, clear documentation of responsibilities, and setting realistic and measurable goals all contribute to this clarity.
Lead by Example: Accountability starts at the top. Leaders and managers should model the behavior they expect from their teams. If they take responsibility for their mistakes and failures, it sets the tone for others to do the same. Encouraging a growth mindset where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities helps reinforce this culture.
Acknowledgement and Recognition: Acknowledging employees who consistently demonstrate accountability can motivate others to do the same. This could range from public recognition at team meetings to more formal incentives like bonuses or promotions. When employees see that accountability leads to positive outcomes, they’re more likely to embrace it. The wrong thing to do is reward bad behavior due to being scared that a team member will leave if they don’t get what they want.
Foster a Safe Environment for Open Dialogue: Encourage employees to speak up when challenges arise. An environment where people feel safe to admit when things aren’t going as planned helps prevent the tendency to shift blame. When mistakes are acknowledged early on, they can be corrected more efficiently without undermining team trust.
Implement Regular Feedback Loops: Continuous feedback (both positive and constructive) is essential for reinforcing accountability. It helps employees understand what they’re doing well and where they can improve. Review cycles are important, but frequent check-ins ensure that accountability is maintained throughout the year.
When issues do arise, it’s essential to approach them with a solution-oriented mindset. Instead of assigning blame, focus on addressing the root causes of the problem and offer support to help employees improve. Providing tools, training, and coaching fosters long-term accountability without creating a blame culture.
John Talasi
CEO & Founder, Financer
John Talasi
From my experience, accountability issues often stem from unclear expectations. I see that the most effective solution is creating crystal-clear visions from the start. When someone knows exactly what they’re responsible for and how it impacts the bigger picture, blame-shifting becomes almost impossible.
In my company, we implement a simple “ownership matrix” where each team member has defined responsibilities with measurable outcomes. This eliminates the “that’s not my job” syndrome. When metrics drop, there’s no question about who needs to address it.
I’ve also found that celebrating accountability is as important as enforcing it. When someone takes ownership of a mistake and fixes it, we acknowledge that publicly. This transforms the culture from fear-based to growth-oriented.
The most overlooked aspect of accountability is modeling it yourself. As a leader, I openly admit when I’ve made mistakes and show how I’m correcting them. This removes the stigma around failure and encourages others to take ownership.
Jayanti Katariya
“We replaced blame with post-mortems”
In my experience, blame-shifting is a symptom of fear, fear of failure, fear of consequences, and fear of losing face. So instead of reacting to the behavior, we rewired the environment that triggers it. At Moon Invoice, we introduced a culture of blameless post-mortems.
Every time something goes off-course, be it a missed deadline, a feature bug, or a marketing misstep, we hold a structured retrospective focused solely on “what” went wrong, not “who.” Everyone involved contributes honestly, without fear of finger-pointing. And we document learnings in an internal log that’s accessible across teams.
But here’s the twist: We ask each contributor to share one thing they personally could have done differently to create a better outcome. This subtle shift makes accountability self-driven, not enforced. Over time, it’s turned reactive behavior into proactive ownership.
The surprising result? Accountability isn’t just up—it’s infectious. When employees see leaders owning their own misses publicly, they follow suit. And the focus naturally shifts from excuses to execution.
Eunice Arauz
Founder, Pets Avenue
Eunice Arauz
To foster accountability, I aim to build trust and clarity regarding expectations. I try to ensure that each person is clear on what’s expected and how their work fits into the larger vision.
I have found that regular check-in and creating a space for open discussion regarding successes or struggles helps too. I give my team the opportunity to own the work by giving them some flexibility in relation to how they can solve the problem.
An example I have seen successful in practice is when I assign pet care specialists specific pet health records and let each of them track their own records of care. This has grown the care report accuracy by 15%.
When the task feels personal accountability improves.
Andrew Lokenauth
Founder at TheFinanceNewsletter.com
Andrew Lokenauth
From my 7+ years leading financial teams, I’ve learned that accountability starts at the top. Last month, I had to address a massive reporting error that cost us $50K — and instead of pointing fingers, I took responsibility for not having proper checks in place. The team’s response was immediate. They started owning their mistakes and focusing on solutions.
I’m a firm believer in setting crystal clear expectations. In my department, we’ve implemented what I call “responsibility mapping.” Each team member knows exactly what they’re accountable for, and there’s no grey area. The results speak for themselves – our error rate dropped by 35% in just 3 months.
The thing is, most accountability issues stem from fear. I’ve seen it countless times — people hide mistakes because they’re scared of consequences. So I changed our approach. Now, when someone comes to me with a problem they created, we focus on fixing it together. And let me tell you, it’s transformed our culture.
Documentation has been a game-changer for us. My team uses a shared dashboard (we picked Asana after trying like 5 different platforms) where everyone can see project status & ownership. It’s eliminated the whole “I thought someone else was handling that” excuse — which used to drive me crazy.
But here’s something that might surprise you – I’ve found that giving more autonomy actually increases accountability. When I stopped micromanaging my analysts and let them own their projects completely, they stepped up big time. One of my team leads took initiative on a cost-reduction project and saved us roughly $100K last quarter.
Regular check-ins matter too. I do quick 15-min stand-ups with my direct reports, and they do the same with their teams. Not to check up on people, but to remove roadblocks. These meetings helped us catch issues way earlier — saving both time & money.
And sometimes you’ve gotta make tough calls. I had an employee who consistently blamed others and refused to take responsibility. Despite multiple conversations, nothing changed. Making the decision to let them go was hard, but the team’s performance improved dramatically afterward.
The secret sauce — celebrating when people own their mistakes and fix them. In our monthly meetings, I highlight situations where team members showed accountability. It’s created this positive reinforcement loop that’s totally changed how people approach challenges.
Trust me on this one: accountability isn’t about punishment or strict oversight. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to own their actions & outcomes. That’s when real growth happens.
The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.
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