These two words in English, they are similar but not exactly the same.
Accountability VS Responsibility
While people often use these terms interchangeably, the key difference lies in execution versus ownership.
Think of it this way: Responsibility is about doing the work, while Accountability is about owning the outcome.
Here is some example:
Mr. Sompong, a superhero of everyone in a production lines. He can help solving any problems that came up. Big or small issues when it comes to Sompong he will get them fixed.
One day, Chanchai, one of the boss of Sompong blunted into a small room that Sompong sit when he has his own time to breath.
Chanchai: Khun Sompong, I know that you are a busy man, but I need the pump in equalization tank to be fixed right now. Otherwise, the whole floor in wastewater treatment plant will be flooded. Then the production line cannot drain wastewater into the treatment plant.
Sompong: Yes sir. Give me five minutes and I will bring my man there.
Sompong and his team opened up the grating from four-meter-deep tank. The foul smell from waste water knocked their eyes. “It is truly stinky”
Sompong: Khun Chanchai, I have checked the pit. I need to remove the pump to check if it foot valve is broken. It also having a problem that the bottom of the pit is full of sediment. I need to clean it up. It’s going to take few days. It is a confined space as well. We need to make sure we follow the Entry Permit.
Chanchai: I know but we do not have that much time. Can you finish it within tonight? Forget the procedure, Ok? I am and I will responsible.
Sompong and his team rushed to get the pump removed, checked and repaired. The other man went down the pit to drain out the mud. It is full of sulfur dioxide. With no proper preparation to enter the confine space, his man collapsed and die in the pit. The permit to work has not been signed. Chanchai stopped Sompong while he was preparing the permit form. Chanchai told Sompong that this job is urgent. He is responsible for what is going on.
Six months later, Sompong was charged with ignorance/negligence act causing his teammate fatality. Chanchai, the big boss said in the court room that he has no responsibilities about plant maintenance activities. Which is true, Chanchai is a plant manager. He shall be accountable for what he had ordered Sompong to skip the safety procedure. Isn’t he?
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Responsibility | Accountability |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Task-oriented (the process) | Result-oriented (the outcome) |
| Delegation | Can be shared or delegated | Cannot be delegated |
| Timing | Ongoing throughout a task | Realized after a task is finished |
| People | Can involve multiple people | Belongs to only one person |
For Sompong, He cannot deny that his teammate die because of his order. He is the one who responsible to make everything safe and must be accountable for not getting the Permit To Work. For him he has ” Kwam Rab Pid Chob” and also “Kwam Rab Pid Chob Nai Na Tee” too. I know it is confusing for Thai. We only have one word for “Kwam Rab Pid Chob” understand?
