Reframing accountability

Discussions of accountability can too often degenerate into the search for a scapegoat. That is, someone who can be blamed for perceived (i.e. headline) failure or underperformance.  This might satisfy the felt need of some people for retribution. Or offer a seemingly clear-cut resolution to an otherwise more complex challenge. But it does little to encourage people to comment candidly on their own performance or to enable them, individually and collectively, to strive for excellence.