It is no foreign concept when a person could not match the fact of accountability, when it is their turn to fulfil it.
At times, we often see people, especially in leadership, when things go south, they may struggle to take responsibility, as accountability is subconsciously perceived as a form of weakness (this echoes what Niccolò Machiavelli describes with “the ends justify the means,” where moral cost is secondary to success).
A person has one of their own; no one wants to be seen as a perpetrator (Sartre reminds us that freedom comes with the weight of responsibility, which can feel heavy).
Nevertheless, in political and business arenas, morality can be skewed, and individuals may struggle to navigate complex pressures with integrity.
But as ordinary human beings, we are not black and white; we are built in grayscale. No one is purely angelic or demonic, we choose a side and are selective of our choices (Aristotle observed that virtue often lies between extremes).
As we grow older, we begin to understand the phrase ‘throwing someone under the bus.’ It literally means using your own will to compromise another person’s dignity. Protecting someone repeatedly can sometimes harm our own reputation, and there are times when it becomes necessary to prioritize personal boundaries (social psychology shows self-preservation can outweigh group loyalty when the stakes are high).
Accountability does not always equate to self-preservation. Self-sacrifice can be limiting if it compromises one’s wellbeing (Rogers observed that unconditional self-acceptance is essential for emotional health).
I saw a TikTok video once, where a woman said, “a person can truly only love themselves unconditionally”, I have not found a statement truer than this. A person ultimately has only themselves to care for. Perhaps this is why society sometimes shows repetitive betrayals and apathy, humans are naturally guided by self-interest (psychology of egoism suggests our actions are often motivated by personal needs).
Will civics and religion guide people?
Over time, they can help, though naturally, regardless of what saints have taught about being compassionate, humans driven by desire often act differently (Freud noted that instinctual drives can challenge ethical ideals).
So when we step into the world, we may ask: How far can humanity progress if no one seeks a lasting legacy? Does teamwork improve the outcome? Often, KPIs in the workplace measure individuals more than the team dynamic, overlooking the subtle interplay, trust, and shared effort that actually drive results. In focusing on singular performance, we risk valuing achievement over collaboration, and accountability over collective growth.
Thus, accountability is not inherently noble; it is a moral construct that allows empathy and integrity to flourish (Hannah Arendt argued that responsibility emerges in shared spaces but may falter when self-interest dominates). Yet, when practiced thoughtfully, accountability is a strength. It is a trait to cultivate, not at the expense of personal wellbeing, but in harmony with it.
Sin with your intentions, and pray for your mistakes afterwards. Always maintain a strong ground; sometimes honesty must carry the weight of accountability. How we respond to consequences matters most. The world does not need constant complaints; it responds to solutions.
If you truly want to stand out, grit and drive are what hold flawed accountability in place, even if it means wearing a façade to appear responsible.
So back to the question, does accountability the least favourable trait in humanity?
As far as I am concerned, I met people who truly take account of their actions and words, and I still uplift this in them as a quality. I seem trying to comprehend it, limited by human cognitive function, as one do not declare honesty directly. But nevertheless, I do believe accountability is a necessary trait as it helps people to grow together and navigate life without losing trust, to face mistakes without fear, and to build something that lasts beyond just themselves.
But in the real order of the world, saving face is what we inherently believe in. No matter how much we speak of unity, empathy, or collective good, our perspectives are never truly, entirely collective.
References
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics — on moral choice and virtue as a balance.
Machiavelli, N. (1532). The Prince — on ends justifying the means.
Sartre, J.‑P. (1946). Existentialism is a Humanism — on freedom and responsibility.
Rogers, C. (1961). On Becoming a Person — on self-regard and unconditional acceptance.
Freud, S. (1923). The Ego and the Id — on instinctual drives vs. morality.
Arendt, H. (1958). The Human Condition — on responsibility in a shared world.
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