What is the difference between responsibility vs accountability?

Question

What is the difference between responsibility vs accountability in a workplace? I’d like to understand how these two concepts differ and how they apply to managers, employees, and business teams.

Jenni · Answer

Responsibility is an assignment of a job or duty that needs to be completed. Accountability means being responsible for the consequences. In simpler terms, responsibility is about the completion of the job, while accountability is about the consequences.

Jesica · Answer

Responsibility involves being tasked with something and taking action to accomplish that task. On the other hand, accountability means being responsible for the end result. To put it simply, responsibility means accomplishing the task while accountability means being responsible for its success or failure.

Answers