Leadership Requires Accountability

Leadership and accountability go hand in hand. They are the pillars that help form societies that are just, equitable, and a model for others to follow. Without accountability, the ethos of leadership falls to the wayside. Why is this so? Well, a leader gains acceptance from the people he/she has command or influence over based on trust. If the masses trust the leader, the execution of the law by the masses quickly follows suit. And accountability is what helps create and strengthen this trust, thus forming a relationship between the leader and masses that is beneficial for all.

Accountability is the essence of democracy and they both evolve together. Thus, having a leader tried and questioned for their wrongdoing plays an important role in how societies progress and develop. The absence of accountability strips away responsibility, integrity, honesty, and reliability as well. This domino effect that follows is the first step towards the downfall of democracies and societies.

The story of David in 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 27 has lessons that can be learned by all. Though he was anointed king by God, he committed acts that were against the commandment of God. The biggest of which were adultery and murder. By having Bathsheba, a beautiful woman who was the wife of Uriah brought to him, David engaged in adultery. David’s sin was then uncovered when she became pregnant.

Instead of confessing and asking for forgiveness, David tried to conceal his sin and plotted for Uriah to be killed while he was away in the battle field. And so, following Uriah’s demise,Prophet Nathan was sent to teach David a lesson. The lesson that forgiveness and accountability are what matter. Nathan did this through a parable, where David was the rich man who had taken the poor man’s lamb which was a sin. And so, God punished David by taking away the child seven days after it was born.

Thus, in our societies leaders too ought to be held accountable. Confession of sins can help make a mistake right. Instead of finding loopholes to cover up the sin, it is better to face the consequences during its inception. Failure to do so leads to more layers of injustice being added. This is not what is required in integrated societies today. Even while skimming over the pages of the history book, it is quite apparent that those societies that had accountability as the central pole flourished profoundly. To become part of these societies, it is important for accountabilityfor all including leaders, to be instilled and implemented efficiently.