Have you ever looked around and wondered, "Whatever happened to accountability?" Many of us have, especially when both business and government seem determined to rescue the worst troublemakers from the consequences of their actions at our expense. 

Remember the banking fiasco of 2008? Do you suppose any of the perpetrators suffered for their self-indulgence? Well, consider this: Immediately upon receiving a huge government bailout check, AIG-which posted a fourth-quarter loss of $62 billion, the largest in history-awarded enormous bonuses to the very people who forced the bailout. (To be fair, 15 of the 20 highest-paid execs eventually agreed to return their bonuses.) 

In real life, you reap what you sow...and someday we'll all remember that. So why not jump the line and create a culture of accountability in your workplace right now? You don't have to be ruthless to instill and enforce accountability. In fact, if you're careful, you can work it so your people voluntarily assume accountability for their actions. 

Consider these principles as you lay your new accountability foundation.