Developing Accountability for a Better Chance at Preventing Domestic Violence and a Brighter Future!

DRAFT DO NOT PRINT OR COPY.... 

What is Accountability?  

Why is Accountability important in Life?  

  Could it be that Accountability is so important that although much of what we think, say and do is forgivable; we are ultimately responsible... In the long run... as we mature, we realize that eventually, We shall reap what we sow.  Either that, or we shall be extremely grateful that we got away with it.... whatever it was...

So, Why is Accountability imperative for Successful Completion of DV Offender Treatment?   Can you say, "PREVENTION"...

  Look at it this way: "What the Heck Was I thinking???"

  The older I get... the more I find myself thinking about things, situations, thoughts and behaviors that I did... but that I never gave a second thought until recently..."  You know???

  So   Go ahead!  Ask Yourself: "What the Heck Was I thinking???"  But NOT in a negative way.  

  This is NOT about BLAME, SHAME or GUILT!!!

  This is about HEALING!!!  

  This is about a Do-OVER.... a GIMME. 

  This is about having another Chance!!! 

  Another Chance.

  And theoretically, if I go about this next Chance with a greater sense of Accountability, I will do it better... 

  Why? Because if I do it with more Accountability, I will be more thoughtful, more careful, more patient, more mindful, wiser, more understanding, and more loving of myself and everyone else.

  This is about separating the things that I can control or the things change from the things I cannot control or change.  And then letting go of things I cannot change... 

  And then becoming Accountable for the things that I can Control or the things that I can Change. 

 

 Hence, this Lesson is about Developing Accountability for a Better Future.

 The DVOMB Core Competencies states that in order for a person to complete Domestic Violence Treatment they MUST develop a strong sense of Accountability.  They MUST have an understanding of Accountability.  And they MUST take Accountability for their own actions leading up to and related to their DV Offenses as.  As well as Developing a commitment to having Accountability moving forward.

"G.   Offender Accountability 

         1. Accepts responsibility for one’s abusive behaviors,

2. Accepts the consequences of those abusive behaviors,

3. Actively works to repair the harm, and prevent future abusive                        behavior;

4.  Taking corrective actions to foster safety and health for the                         victim

A.      Recognizes and eliminates all minimizations of abusive behavior and without prompts identifies one’s own abusive behaviors

B.      Demonstrates full ownership for his/her actions and accepts the consequences of these actions: The offender demonstrates an understanding of patterns for past abusive actions and acknowledges the need to plan for future self-management and further agrees to create the structure that makes accountability possible

C.    The offender accepts that their partner or former partner and their children may continue to challenge them regarding past or current behaviors.  Should they behave abusively in the future, they consider it their responsibility to report those behaviors honestly to their friends and relatives, to their probation officer, and to others who will hold them accountable"

"What is personal accountability?

There are numerous definitions for the concept of personal accountability, but in the most general terms, displaying it means you are someone who consciously takes ownership of your life and responsibility for your decisions and actions. Personal accountability is sometimes thought to be comprised of five habits:

• Obligation: Duties that have consequences.
• Willingness: Taking action more because we want to than because we have to.
• Intent: Your purpose behind a plan.
• Ownership: Control over something.
• Commitment: Dedication to a task at hand and betterment of self."  (From: 

  5 easy habits to develop personal accountability at (https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/blog/personal-accountability).

Why is Personal Accountability Important?

  

"Simplest terms: without it, no one would have to own any of their decisions, and personal + professional life would become wholly circular, without repercussions or clear goals. People having personal accountability, especially those in formal leadership roles, is the entire reason that organizations can work together, and the underpinning of hierarchy too: when something goes wrong, someone needs to be on the hook for that, and take responsibility. 

There are also personal benefits to developing more personal accountability, including:

• Stronger relationships
• Less stress
• More trust of other individuals
• Better sense of self and self-efficacy
• More focused use of time
• Higher self-esteem 
• Growth mindset, i.e. idea that one can tackle anything they need to"
  

"It’s worth spending one second here on personal accountability vs. personal responsibility, as those two terms often also get conflated. Here’s the essential difference:

Most people have been responsible for the welfare of either themselves or another being at some point in their early lives. Young children are often responsible for pets or siblings.

Accountability is a word that carries a lot more weight, and is one that we don’t really hear until we enter the world of work and business. It can have positive and negative connotations, but research suggests that being held accountable for things can have positive effects on enhancing the feeling of self-control in the workplace. "  (From: https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/blog/personal-accountability)

Building a Culture of Accountability (By Flesner).

“To guide you on this journey, I present ten essential steps that you can follow to cultivate a culture where accountability thrives and success reigns supreme.

1.     Cultivate Trust -- Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership and a culture of accountability. Ensure your team members trust you and each other so they feel safe holding each other accountable. It's essential to convey that being held accountable is not a personal attack, as team members understand it's always about the success of the team as a whole. We've covered trust and psychological safety in newsletter 3 and newsletter 4.

2.     Communicate the Accountability Concept and Benefits -- Transparency is key. Clearly convey the concept and benefits of a culture of accountability. Encourage team members to take ownership of their work and emphasize how it contributes to the organization's goals. As Patricia Susan Summitt, former American women's college basketball coach once said: “Accountability equals ownership. And a sense of ownership is the most powerful weapon a team or organisation can have.” We have covered this topic in the last 'Leadership Shots' newsletter.

3.     Establish Measurable KPIs -- Ensure that the team's and individual team members' deliverables are measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aligned with organisational objectives. Tangible metrics make accountability more concrete and achievable.

4.     Promote Open Communication -- Create an open and inclusive environment where team members feel comfortable sharing progress, challenges, and concerns. Open communication channels help identify issues early and facilitate collaborative problem-solving. Leadership expert and host of the 'Leaders of Transformation podcast', Nicole Jansen , and I will publish an Inc. Magazine article about this topic shortly. Please check the bell on my profile if you want to be notified accordingly.

5.     Provide Regular, Empathetic Feedback -- Acknowledge accomplishments and address areas for improvement immediately and regularly. Reinforce the importance of accountability in personal and professional growth. When providing feedback, approach it with empathy and constructive guidance.

6.     Address Accountability Failures Promptly -- When accountability lapses occur, address them promptly and constructively. Use these instances as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than punitive measures. Encourage individuals to reflect on what went wrong and how to prevent it in the future. Recognise and Celebrate Success:

7.     Celebrate achievements and milestones as a team -- Recognising successes as a team reinforces the value of accountability and encourages continued efforts. It fosters a sense of pride and unity within the team.

8.     Promote a Learning Mindset -- Emphasise that accountability is not about assigning blame but about continuous learning and growth. Encourage individuals to reflect on their actions, learn from mistakes, and adapt to changing circumstances. Mistakes should be seen as opportunities for improvement, not as failures.

9.  Lead by Example -- Set the tone by being accountable for your own actions and decisions. Demonstrate integrity, take responsibility for your mistakes, and actively seek solutions. When your team members see you practicing accountability, they are more likely to follow suit and embrace this mindset. As my friend and host of the Developing The Leader Within Podcast , Enrique A. nice phrased this:

"As long as leaders don't deal with their own relationship with accountability, they will misuse their leadership position to hold others accountable for things they can’t face."

10. Champion Cultural Change -- Creating a culture of accountability may require a cultural shift within your organisation. If so, champion this change, communicate its importance, and provide ongoing support. Be the driving force behind the transformation and lead by example.”

(Think of it this way: "Humans shed about 600,000 skin cells per day and up to 1.5 pounds of skin cells per year. Research from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that shedding skin contributes to 69 to 88 percent of dust in our homes–now, that's gross.Apr 29, 2016" Texas A&M University, Immunology.)

  Accountability means we got to Role with the Changes. 

  So, think about: How Can We Apply the above knowledge toward Preventing DV In the Future???

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Domestic Violence and/or Anger Management Accountability Statement

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IMPORTANT: <<< CLICK HERE >>> DV Session Feedback Form >>>

(Source:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-steps-build-culture-accountability-patrick-flesner-mw71e).  (Flesner).