What is the relationship between responsibility and accountability?

The relationship between responsibility and accountability is best characterized by the concept that accountability includes responsibility. In property management, responsibility refers to the tasks and obligations assigned to an individual or team, such as managing properties, maintaining buildings, or ensuring tenant satisfaction. However, accountability goes a step further, as it entails being answerable for the outcomes of those responsibilities.

When someone is accountable, they are expected to provide justifications for their actions and the results achieved from their responsibilities. This means that while responsibility is about the "what" you are expected to do, accountability encompasses both the "what" and the "who" is ultimately responsible for the outcomes of those actions. In effective property management, understanding this distinction is crucial, as it ensures that individuals not only complete tasks but also recognize their role in the overall performance and integrity of property operations.

Thus, accountability serves as a framework that reinforces the importance of completing one's responsibilities to a standard that meets the expectations of property stakeholders.