10 Best Accountability Books on Responsibility Ever Written

These are the best books on accountability books ever written. If you want to improve yourself, this reading list is a great place to start.

You’ve heard phrases like “you’ve got to be accountable for your actions” or “I need an accountability partner.” It’s clear that accountability is an important thing to know and be. If this term seems like an abstract concept to you, don’t worry.

I’ve got 10 of the best books that will help you get more acquainted with what it means to be an accountable person. 

10 Of The Best Accountability Books on Responsibility

Now that we know that accountability is a critical skill to have for both personal and business life, here are 10 of the best accountability books for you to read on the subject.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by: Brené Brown

In Daring Greatly, author and thought leader Brené Brown shares her findings and stories of what it means to be vulnerable. She shares that vulnerability isn’t a weakness, but a sign of courage.

When you are seeking accountability for something in your life you are being vulnerable and admitting that there is something you want to change. Which is why I think this is a great read on the topic of accountability.

Brené Brown is well known thought-leader and has written many great books over the course of her career. She encourages you to have the difficult conversations necessary for self-growth.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by: James Clear

As I mentioned before, a big part of accountability is your habits. In Atomic Habits you’ll learn how habits form through simple, actionable steps.

Once you know the system loop that habits form you’ll be able to better hold yourself accountable as you try forming better habits. This is one of my favorite personal development books because I learned so much practical knowledge from it.

Crush Your Excuses: The Power of Personal Accountability: A Self-Discipline Book on How to Hold Yourself Accountable at Work and in Life, Discipline Your Mind and Overcome Victim Mentality by: Maxwell Willow 

“…it’s never too late to leave excuses, complaints, and procrastination behind and take full ownership of your life.”

Crush Your Excuses is the book for you if you are ready for greater success in your personal life and at work, and you are ready to put in the work to make it happen. Some of the things you’ll learn in this book are how to break free from the victim mentality, how to spend your time, how to use failure to create momentum, how to get unstuck, and more. 

The Power of Personal Accountability: Achieve What Matters to You by: Mark Samuel and Sophie Chiche 

The Power of Personal Accountability is about the Personal Accountability model. In this book you’ll be introduced to the model, read case studies of those who have used it, and you’ll have exercises in the book that you can do as well.

To get clear on what you want out of life, and have the tools to go after that better life, pick up this book.

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life by: John G. Miller

The accountable individual asks better questions. That is what you will learn as you read QBQ! The Question Behind The Question.

Asking better questions will help you both in your personal life and while you are working. This book is a practical guide that will help you put what you learn into daily action.

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin 

Now we are transitioning more into the leadership side of accountability. Starting off we have the book Extreme Ownership written by two Navy SEALs.

They have truly had some powerful experiences in accountability and leadership. In this book you’ll learn about the mindset and principles that helped them complete difficult missions, why they are important, and how to apply them to your organization.

Accountability Leadership: How Great Leaders Build a High Performance Culture of Accountability and Responsibility (Accountability Code) by: DI Worrall

Packed with real world case studies, research that is easy to digest, and practical strategies you can implement with your team, Accountability Leadership is a must-read.

You’ll learn practical solutions for confrontation, negative feedback, lack of recognition, and more and why what you were doing was hurting your business. You’ll learn how to make positive changes that will make both your team, and yourself happy.

As a bonus, when you buy this book, you also get an exclusive 20-minute podcast interview with top-rated thought leader Marshall Goldsmith. 

Compassionate Accountability: How Leaders Build Connection and Get Results by: Nate Regier PhD

You can be a great leader that expects delivery of results, while also being compassionate. In fact, great leaders practice this daily.

In the book Compassionate Accountability you’ll learn the six areas to focus on if you want to build a culture of compassionate accountability with your team members. You’ll also learn the five barriers that can come up when you are trying to make these positive changes, and how to overcome them.

Accountability: The Key to Driving a High-Performance Culture by: Greg Bustin

The next best leadership book is called Accountability. It’s all about high-performance culture. What do you think makes or breaks leadership performance today? If you said accountability you’d be correct.

For this book the author interviewed “leaders of the most admired companies in the world and CEOs of mid-size companies who outperform their competition on a consistent basis.” Through his findings he shares leadership tools you’ll need for your business to succeed.

The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability by: Roger Connors, Tom Smith, and Craig Hickman

We’ve made it to our last book. By now you’ve realized the importance of accountability.

These books are all great tools in teaching that lesson as well. The Oz Principle is written by three New York Times Bestselling Authors and the book itself is known as the worldwide bible on accountability.

Their message is that people have a better sense of high accountability when they accept responsibility for their performance and how it relates to their organization’s goals.

Why Read Accountability Books?

There two main reasons why you should pick up a book about accountability. Either you are on a personal growth journey or you are a business leader (or maybe an aspiring one) wanting to improve your leadership skills.

Trying To Become Your Best Self

Personal growth is something we should all strive for. Accountability comes into play by keeping yourself accountable for the positive changes you are trying to make. The books you’ll find on this list relating to personal growth will be about habits and personal accountability. If you can learn how to change your bad habits, it will be easier to stay accountable to yourself and your goals, as you create better habits.

Improving Your Leadership Skills

If you are a leader, or wanting to become one, accountability is a term you are probably already familiar with. The books on this list will help you teach your team how to be accountable through new behaviors, asking different questions, and more. By pouring into them your organization will be stronger. 

That said, reading books about accountability can be incredibly beneficial for personal and professional growth. Here are more reasons why reading books on accountability is a worthwhile way to spend your time:

1. Increased Self-Awareness: Books on accountability often provide insights and exercises that help you become more aware of your actions, choices, and their consequences. This self-awareness is crucial for personal development.
2. Improved Goal Setting: Learning about accountability can help you set more realistic and achievable goals. You’ll understand the importance of setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives.
3. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Understanding accountability can lead to better problem-solving abilities. When you take ownership of your specific actions, you’re more likely to find effective solutions to challenges.
4. Strengthened Relationships: Accountability fosters trust and reliability in relationships. When you hold yourself accountable, others are more likely to trust and respect you.
5. Empowerment and Control: Recognizing your role in your own success or failure empowers you to take control of your life. You’re less likely to feel like a victim of circumstances.
6. Professional Growth: In a professional context, accountability is highly valued. It leads to improved performance, a stronger work ethic, and better relationships with colleagues and supervisors.
7. Reduced Procrastination: Understanding accountability can help combat procrastination. You’ll be more motivated to take action and complete tasks in a timely manner.
8. Better Time Management: Accountability often involves managing your time effectively. You’ll learn how to prioritize tasks and allocate your time in a way that aligns with your goals.
9. Greater Adaptability: When you take responsibility for your actions, you’re more likely to adapt and learn from mistakes. This adaptability is crucial in a constantly changing world.
10. Personal Fulfillment: Being accountable can lead to a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. You’ll take pride in your achievements and know that you’ve worked hard to attain them.
11. Reduction of Blame and Excuses: Reading about accountability can help you shift away from a mindset of blame and excuses. Instead of looking for external factors to blame, you’ll focus on what you can control.
12. Continuous Improvement: Accountability encourages a growth mindset. You’ll be more inclined to seek feedback, learn from experiences, and continuously improve yourself.
13. Positive Influence on Others: When others see you taking responsibility for your actions, it can inspire them to do the same. Your example can have a positive impact on those around you.

Final Thoughts on The Best Books on Accountability Ever Written

Overall, reading books about accountability provides valuable insights and practical strategies for personal and professional development. It encourages a proactive and empowered approach to life, leading to greater satisfaction and success.

The good news is it is easy to begin improving your accountability. Pick up one of these titles and get started today!

You’ve been introduced to accountability, and why it’s so important in work and in life. You also have some great book recommendations to learn more. The only question is, which book are you starting with? Let me know in the comments.

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