If you accidentally step on a stranger’s foot, it’s probably a reflex to take ownership, apologize, and just move on with your life.

If you accidentally forget to send out meeting details to a VIP, or forget a sales call with a client, or hit another car with your own, or download a virus onto your server, why isn’t it a reflex to take ownership, apologize, and just move on with your life? 

The obvious answer is that there are much more consequences for these mistakes which might be costly. The stakes are higher. The problems are larger. 

But does that mean you should be thinking about accountability any differently?