Why Accountability is Not a Dirty Word | Christi Scarrow | TEDxWestoverHills

Christi Scarrow adventures boldly into a challenge that faces us all; how to hold others accountable. She dares us to act differently, working against our natural instincts of blaming others or avoiding the difficult conversations. Her heart-felt stories remind us of the impact of not getting it right. She challenges us to stop thinking of accountability as a dirty word and instead as the ultimate act of respect. Christi Scarrow is a consultant, executive coach, keynote speaker and best-selling author of the book Truth Warriors. She is the Managing Partner at a consulting firm in Toronto called Lighthouse NINE Group, where she also leads the Insights & Organizational Accountability practice.

Christi is passionate about creating a world where collaboration overcomes conflict and healthy debate overtakes division. She believes that accountability should be used for good, not evil. Her goal is to help others to feel committed to their goals, comfortable in their mistakes and able to inspire others to do the same.

[violetrossi]

Absolutely loved the subtlety of shifting the language from "I am disappointed in you" to "I am disappointed for you" - very powerful, especially for developing growth and understanding.

[gabekilljoy]

That bit about Alex's audition really touched me. It's a powerful reminder that as parents or mentors, we should aim to be disappointed 'for' someone, not 'in' them. Congrats to Alex for stepping up!

[ListHeist]

The shift from blaming individuals to blaming situations is profound. It's like transforming blame into a tool for understanding and improvement.

[geenaremsby]

I like the idea of accountability being a gift instead of an expectation. I think shifting our mentality is what helps make the process less daunting.

[andrewfarason]

Empathizing to move forward is crucial. Your shift from disappointment in to disappointment for is a leadership lesson.

[pizza-addict]

Holding others accountable can be tough. Your honesty about the struggles, especially among CEOs, adds a dose of reality to the discussion.

[duncanboone]

The idea of framing accountability as the ultimate act of respect is refreshing. It shifts the narrative in a positive direction.

[coopertanner]

I think when we hold ourselves accountable we naturally raise the bar for what we expect of ourselves, doing that for other people should be viewed as a positive!

[kushrama]

I find your examples of being too "pointy" or too "soft" very relatable! Accountability is such an important factor for team work

[jasonopdebeeck]

This talk has really made an impression on me. Like most things it's how we approach something that determines our success with it.

[AlienCruise]

Acknowledging the tendency to avoid tough conversations is brave. Many can relate to the challenge of addressing difficult issues, it's nice to find some practical advice on how to navigate it

[the-organic-way]

Shifting from disappointment in to disappointment for is a really powerful and positive move to make as a parent, thank you.

[mountain-climber]

I was so glad when she got to the point around the 5:00 minute mark. It's definitely about both parties.

[genesisreal]

Feeling inspired to reevaluate how I approach accountability in my life. Let's strive for more effective and compassionate conversations!

[khloetaylor]

I've definitely been in situations where I've been too pointy or too soft when dealing with accountability.

[carllokit]

Thanks for the real talk here. Watching society move towards more AI and digital framework, I am constantly wondering about the integrity of the code we are pushing, we need to ensure collective quality that holds all those involved accountable.

[incontreraconsulting]

Accountability is such an important topic - and it's a word that can make us uncomfortable. It doesn't have to be that way. Great talk, Christi!

[natashaislier]

What a fantastic topic for a tedx talk, and very much needed in these times!!

[carolynnovick]

Appreciate the simplicity of the “DARE”. Your approach to holding people positively accountable (and exploring the situation with respect and empathy) is a skill worth consistently working on over time. Well said!

[TheRealShinedownShimmy]

The story about assumptions really struck a chord with me, it got me thinking about times I've assumed the worst and how it affected the situation.