Accountability vs. Blame Effective work environments are those that create and encourage accountability, while eliminating blame. Accountability and blame are two very different terms, and should not be used interchangeably. In fact, blame damages accountability. Accountability is all about constructively moving forward, and focuses on what you can control. It means that you take responsibility for outcomes, whether they are good or bad. Accountable individuals will gain respect from others, and gain confidence in themselves. They choose to own their outcomes. In contrast to accountability, blame focuses on the past, punishment, and the shifting of responsibility onto someone else. Blame creates an unhealthy and irresponsible work environment. Unaccountable employees may choose to invest their energy in blame because they feel as though it is easier than being accountable for mistakes, or because they do not want to find the underlying cause of the problem. Blame is used as a defense mechanism that focuses on who is wrong, rather than what is wrong. In order to eliminate blame in the workplace, it is important to see problems as learning opportunities, rather than drawbacks.