What does accountability mean to you?
06 Jan 2026
In this moment:
Simon Tomes
Nisha Patel
Nisha Patel and I spoke on a call. We explored ways to contribute to the MoTaverse in 2026.
During our call we discussed the importance of accountability, something Nisha covered in a talk at an internal BBC event – I was there to hear it and it was ace! We explored how it can mean many things for people in different contexts. For example, accountability is:
Accountability is care and care is accountability.
How about you, what does accountability mean to you? Where does it show up the most in your day to day work? How do you align accountability with your professional development goals? What about the topic of accountability would you like to explore?
During our call we discussed the importance of accountability, something Nisha covered in a talk at an internal BBC event – I was there to hear it and it was ace! We explored how it can mean many things for people in different contexts. For example, accountability is:
- Seeking feedback early and using it to improve.
- Using accountability to learn and adapt, not to blame.
- Welcoming questions and dissent about your decisions.
- Making expectations clear so everyone knows what they own.
- Keeping your commitments, and being open when you cannot.
- Sharing credit widely and owning your part when things go wrong.
- Raising concerns when something feels out of line with your values or goals.
- Owning the consequences of your choices, even when outcomes are uncertain.
- Noticing how accountability differs for leaders, individual contributors, and teams.
- Regularly asking, “What am I accountable for this week?” and adjusting accordingly.
Accountability is care and care is accountability.
How about you, what does accountability mean to you? Where does it show up the most in your day to day work? How do you align accountability with your professional development goals? What about the topic of accountability would you like to explore?
Simon Tomes
Community Lead at MoTaverse
he/him
Hello, I'm Simon. Since 2003 I've had various roles in testing, tech leadership and coaching. I believe in the power of collaboration, creativity and community. 🎓 MoT-STEC qualified. I get real joy working with and supporting our wonderful MoTaverse community.
“Thanks for making me feel so confident about myself.” | “I'm so grateful for all you do in the MoTaverse community, I learn so much as a result!” | “A simple chat with Simon in person absolutely changed everything.” | “Simon is one of the best people that I've ever met to have conversations with. He's so grounded in his way of thinking and articulates his thoughts so well and his feelings and his knowledge about community and everything.”
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Rosie Sherry
Here to say I ❤️ this: "Accountability is care and care is accountability."
Ujjwal Kumar Singh
For me, accountability is taking responsibility and being ready to face consequences if something goes wrong.
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