Adding Accountability to Your Workplace Conflict Practice
- Chrysta Wilson
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Lessons from Literature and my Matriarchs
We all remember The Scarlet Letter—a woman marked with an “A” for a transgression her community wouldn’t let her forget.
In the realm of conflict navigation, there’s another “A” that many leaders quietly avoid: Accountability.
But unlike in Hawthorne’s tale, this “A” isn’t about shame—it’s about growth, repair, and realignment.
Growing up in the South, the women in my life—moms, aunties, neighbors—had a saying:
“When you point a finger at someone else, three more point back at you.”
That was an early lesson in accountability. And it still holds true today.
It was a simple but powerful reminder: before blaming, pause and reflect on your own part.
Whether you’ve read Crucial Conversations or been part of any solid conflict resolution training, you know that before we enter a tough dialogue, we’re invited to ask:
“What did I contribute to this conflict?”
What Accountability Actually Means
In my company’s S.C.A.L.E.™ Generative Conflict Method, A stands for Accountability.
Not shame. Not finger-pointing.
Accountability means the radical practice of self-honesty and presence.
A deeper kind of courage that invites us to own the impact of our actions, whether they were intended or not.
We say: “Accountability is the practice of honoring the impact of our actions—intended or not—by staying present, listening deeply, and choosing to repair.”
If we’re honest, sometimes we could’ve said it differently.
Or listened longer.
Or stepped in sooner.
Sometimes accountability means creating the space for others to take ownership of their actions, without rushing to judgment ourselves.
When Teams Embrace Accountability in Conflict, Here’s What Changes:
Feedback flows more freely
Psychological safety deepens
Power dynamics get named and addressed
Conversations move from reactive to responsive
This is what happens when accountability becomes a shared value, not a personal threat.
This is the kind of accountability that builds trust and transforms culture.
And this is the kind of accountability we help leaders and teams build when they hire us for S.C.A.L.E. Up! Workshops and Retreats.
Want to Learn How to Practice Generative Conflict?
We offer conflict, communication, and collaboration workshops to support leaders and teams that are ready to build their accountability and repair practices so they are better at navigating tension and conflict.
Explore our services and S.C.A.L.E. approach at www.wilson-and-associates.com/conflict
How Wilson and Associates Can Help
If you’re navigating tension, or looking for support with culture-building or leadership development, we can help.
From immersive trainings to strategic advisory partnerships, we offer tailored solutions that meet your unique needs.
💬 Curious what that could look like for your team? Book an alignment call here.
About Wilson and Associates Coaching & Consulting
Wilson and Associates Coaching and Consulting partners with organizations to cultivate inclusive, high-impact, people-first workplaces.
Since 2008, we’ve supported leaders through strategic advisory, executive coaching, team retreats, and leadership development programs that center equity, collaboration, care, and accountability.
Our proprietary frameworks—including the Recipe for Transformation™, the S.C.A.L.E.™ Generative Conflict Method, and the Periodic Table of Great Culture Elements—help organizations move from intention to sustainable culture change.
We are a California-certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and proudly recognized as both a Minority and Woman Business Enterprise (MBE) (WBE). We are also WSOB certified.
Explore how we can support your team:
Email us at hello @wilson-and-associates.com
Listen to our podcast Recipe for Transformation: https://www.wilson-and-associates.com/podcast
