Accountability — what does it mean to those who work in MRC communities?

ICARE stands for Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. In our system, ICARE is a primary focus for recruiting, training and employee evaluations. ICARE is also a  platform for “hospitality with teeth,” laying the foundation for a culture where the best want to work in serving those who once cared for us. In this blog, we’ll look at Accountability and how we encourage it in all MRC communities.

Accountability in our system of communities refers to accepting responsibility for our own actions, words, attitudes, and even our thoughts, since thoughts ultimately show up in actions. As we collectively seek to fulfill our mission to the best of our abilities, we are also responsible to each other and, to some extent, for each other.  Accountability acknowledges that we are all children of God who created us equal in his sight.

When we discuss accountability in our internal meetings and training sessions, here are some of the points we cover:

• Accountability means we are honest in accepting the role we each play in creating outcomes, whether achieving success or falling short.
• Accountability means we stay focused on the mission, rising above pettiness that stirs discontent.
• Accountability means we acknowledge the contributions of others, because the best outcomes invariably come from a team effort and not one person who takes all the credit.
• Accountability means taking ownership for achieving positive outcomes and overcoming the obstacles.
• Accountability means we do not blame others, but rather focus on how our own contributions can lead to greater achievement and success toward fulfilling the mission.
• Accountability means we realize that inaction can often be more harmful than action.
• Accountability requires action to overcome circumstance, rather than doing nothing and blaming circumstance.
• Accountability provides us the greatest opportunity for growth, and it often occurs after mistakes.
• Accountability requires supervisors to be quick in praising the positive, and quick to address the negative.

It’s truly a blessing to be part of the MRC system where so many highly responsible and caring individuals seek to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve, as well as each other. What an honor it is to be surrounded by so many who accept both personal and professional accountability as a wonderful opportunity to be one’s best in this life.

I believe the secret can be found in Proverbs 16:3, the New Living Translation:

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

By contrast, when our actions seek to bring glory to ourselves above God or even above others, accountability and success go out the window. Those having difficulty with accountability will inevitably blame others or their circumstance, as if they had no part in creating the outcomes.

When we are not worried about who gets the credit, when we’re not seeking to point fingers or blame, when we accept full responsibility for our actions, inactions, attitudes and outcomes — only then can we truly become our individual and collective best as I believe God intends. I believe an organization and the people within the organization who set their sights on the highest level of accountability have unlimited potential to make a positive difference in the lives of others. That’s my prayer for MRC’s service ministry.