Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share UYL2306 -- Accountability: It's Seemingly in Retreat
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
UYL2306 -- Accountability: It's Seemingly in Retreat
Accountability Seems to Be in Retreat
In the previous two episodes, I've discussed a variety of factors which produced a broad-based perception that personal accountability is greatly diminished. In the last episode, I looked at three cultural trends which have aggravated this decline. These are:
Today I examine three additional contributors.
Here's a summary of how these three work against the interests of personal accountability.
Political polarization has produced the most pronounced social division in our history, with the sole exception of the Civil War. And the distrust which springs from deep polarization inevitably undermines our sense of accountability and responsibility toward those on the other side of the polarizing divide.
Simultaneously, a long-standing ethical consensus built on Judaeo-Christian ideals has weakened appreciably, shouldered aside by a broad embrace of moral relativism. American churches and synagogues historically promoted a vibrant message of individual responsibility and personal accountability. But having steadily lost influence and attendance of late, they have fewer opportunities to promote responsible, accountable living.
As for the third item on our list -- radically shortened lifespans for businesses --its adverse impact on accountability may not be obvious. How could shorter business lifespans weaken accountability?
The impact is subtle, but powerful nonetheless. Compared with businesses historically, companies today are extremely short-lived. The average survival time of companies on the S&P500 is 18 years. Five decades ago it was 61 years. Employees have little assurance that their company will be around for them long-term. They therefore anticipate little benefit from being deeply loyal to the company. And without that loyalty, they may settle for compromised standards of accountability in their work performance.
In the next episode, I turn to strategies which leaders should pursue in response to declining accountability. Accountability may be in decline, but it's by no means dead. It's waiting to be rejuvenated by capable leaders.
A transcript of this episode can be downloaded at https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com by following the menu link to Episodes.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By Mike Armour
5
11 ratings
Accountability Seems to Be in Retreat
In the previous two episodes, I've discussed a variety of factors which produced a broad-based perception that personal accountability is greatly diminished. In the last episode, I looked at three cultural trends which have aggravated this decline. These are:
Today I examine three additional contributors.
Here's a summary of how these three work against the interests of personal accountability.
Political polarization has produced the most pronounced social division in our history, with the sole exception of the Civil War. And the distrust which springs from deep polarization inevitably undermines our sense of accountability and responsibility toward those on the other side of the polarizing divide.
Simultaneously, a long-standing ethical consensus built on Judaeo-Christian ideals has weakened appreciably, shouldered aside by a broad embrace of moral relativism. American churches and synagogues historically promoted a vibrant message of individual responsibility and personal accountability. But having steadily lost influence and attendance of late, they have fewer opportunities to promote responsible, accountable living.
As for the third item on our list -- radically shortened lifespans for businesses --its adverse impact on accountability may not be obvious. How could shorter business lifespans weaken accountability?
The impact is subtle, but powerful nonetheless. Compared with businesses historically, companies today are extremely short-lived. The average survival time of companies on the S&P500 is 18 years. Five decades ago it was 61 years. Employees have little assurance that their company will be around for them long-term. They therefore anticipate little benefit from being deeply loyal to the company. And without that loyalty, they may settle for compromised standards of accountability in their work performance.
In the next episode, I turn to strategies which leaders should pursue in response to declining accountability. Accountability may be in decline, but it's by no means dead. It's waiting to be rejuvenated by capable leaders.
A transcript of this episode can be downloaded at https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com by following the menu link to Episodes.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices