By Randy Hain. Responsibility is a grace you give yourself, not an obligation. – Dan Millman, author

I will be forever grateful that my parents taught me to work hard and be responsible, and these and other priceless gifts they shared when I lived under their roof have largely shaped who I am today. In the early stages of my career, I was also fortunate to have wise mentors who guided me, challenged me, and shared invaluable advice that helped me get off to a strong start in the first several years after I graduated from college. If there was one key lesson from that formative period that stands out for me and served as a catalyst for accelerating my career, it was embracing the virtue of accountability.

The virtue of accountability means taking ownership of your actions, decisions, and mistakes, and demonstrating that you are reliable by following through on commitments. It is about actively contributing to achieving team and company goals, which builds trust and credibility within your professional network and fosters the growth of your career. In the early years out of college, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all you must learn as you adapt to a new business culture and navigate relationships, but the one thing completely in your control is the degree of ownership you show in your daily work—your willingness to be held accountable for your actions and results.

What are best practices to help early-career professionals embrace accountability? I offer these ten actionable ideas from my experience and observation over the years that are proven approaches to help make you more accountable.

  1. Become more self-aware. Look in the mirror and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses to determine where you can improve your accountability.
  2. Take responsibility. Own up to errors, admit when you don’t know something, and actively seek solutions to correct mistakes.
  3. Clarify expectations. Make sure you fully understand what is being asked of you and when it is due. The worst thing you can do is work on a project without a full understanding of what your boss really wants and deliver a work product that is not aligned with those expectations. Being curious and asking probing questions is key.
  4. Always meet deadlines. Consistently deliver work on time and according to expectations of your supervisor. Missed deadlines will damage your credibility.
  5. Communicate frequently. Keep your work colleagues informed about progress, challenges, and potential roadblocks—no surprises.
  6. Be transparent. Be open and honest about your work, including areas where you might need support. The worst thing you can do is struggle in silence.
  7. Be proactive. Identify issues early on and take initiative to find solutions. Experience and increasing self-confidence will be your allies here.
  8. Actively seek out mentors. Growing in the virtue of accountability is almost impossible without mentors who are willing to candidly advise and guide you. Seek out people who know more than you, have credibility and respect, and are likely more senior and have a proven track record. Humbly ask for their time and seek their help. Helpful tip: Show great respect for these relationships, make the most of them, and honor their investment in you. Be committed and show gratitude.
  9. Consistently seek candid feedback. Actively seek specific and unbiased feedback from mentors, supervisors, and peers to improve your performance. Don’t always seek affirmation and validation, but instead develop a real appreciation for hearing the difficult comments about how you are doing to dramatically improve your performance. Embrace critical feedback as an opportunity for growth and do not view it as a personal attack.
  10. Be a great team player. Actively support your teammates in attaining their personal goals and the team’s goals. Be a great collaborator. Selflessly do what you can to help them and hold them accountable—and seek the same from them.

What is the payoff? What will you gain from this investment in being more accountable? I would suggest these are the four key benefits you can expect from embracing this virtue:

  1. You will accelerate your career. Demonstrating accountability can lead to increased responsibilities and career progression. This will set you apart from many of your peers and give you an edge.
  2. You will foster trusting relationships.Being accountable builds greater trust with colleagues, clients, and supervisors, leading to stronger working relationships.
  3. You will enhance your reputation.Building a reputation for accountability can elevate an early career professional’s personal brand within the team, company, and industry.
  4. You will experience significant personal growth. Cultivating the virtue of accountability and being responsible through reflecting on your actions encourages continuous learning and development. This mindset will serve you well throughout your career.

I am also reminded of the advice I received early in my career from a wise mentor: “If you touch it, you own it. Even if you only have 1 percent of the actual problem/issue, act as if you have 100 percent. If we all act this way, our work gets done faster and our problems are quickly solved.” When used with discernment, a collaborative mindset, and good judgment, this is invaluable advice.

I hope these actionable best practices foster within you a much greater appreciation for accountability and the positive effect it will have on your life and career. Growing in the virtue of accountability not only profoundly impacts your career but also positively impacts your personal life as well. Your family, friends, and community will also benefit from your commitment to being more accountable.

How would you rate your embrace of the virtue of accountability right now on a scale of one to ten? Based on the best practices offered here, where do you need to improve? Do you have mentors and other colleagues who can help you? If not, where will you find them? Over the next thirty days, develop a personal plan to fully activate these best practices in your daily life and add other ideas that may be working for you.

*Adapted from Practical Virtue: An Actionable Guide to Help You Become a Leader Worth Following