---
reference_type: Principle
reference_id: P8-04
name: Be an Accountable Leader
version: "1.0.0"
status: Active
edition: PMBOK8
pmbok8_source: "PMBOK8 Standard §3.6 — Be an Accountable Leader"
authority: PMI-derived
file_path: "reference/principles/pmbok8/P8-04-accountable-leader.md"
last_updated: "2026-06-07"
---

# P8-04 — Be an Accountable Leader
**Type:** Principle  
**Edition:** PMBOK 8th Edition (2025)  
**PMBOK 8 Source:** PMBOK8 Standard §3.6 — Be an Accountable Leader  
**Version:** 1.0.0  

## Definition
The **Be an Accountable Leader** principle emphasizes demonstrating leadership behaviors and taking ownership of the project's target business objectives, decisions, and actions (Standard §3.6). Leadership on projects is non-exclusive, shared, and situational, requiring project managers and team members alike to influence, inspire, and motivate others while maintaining integrity, honesty, and transparency.

## Key Characteristics
- **Accountability and Responsibility:** Accountability means taking ownership of outcomes, decisions made, and work pulled, matching authority with responsibility (§3.6).
- **Core Values:** Demands integrity, honesty, fairness, self-awareness, and humility, particularly when resolving conflicts or handling stress (§3.6).
- **Shared & Situational Leadership:** Leadership is not exclusive to a specific role; any project professional, stakeholder, or team member can and should demonstrate leadership (§3.6, §3.6.1).
- **Servant Leadership Focus:** Emphasizes supporting the team, removing obstacles, actively listening, and fostering an environment of trust (§3.6).
- **Psychological Safety:** Fosters a safe environment that allows team members to speak honestly, raise issues, and escalate risks early (§3.6.1).

## Relationship to Other Principles
| Principle | Relationship |
|---|---|
| P8-02 — Focus on Value | Accountable leaders focus on value delivery beyond mere operational tasks, ensuring project decisions align with the business case (§3.6.1). |
| P8-06 — Build an Empowered Culture | Empowerment requires leaders to trust team members, delegate authority clearly, and maintain psychological safety (§3.6.1, §3.8). |
| P8-01 — Adopt a Holistic View | Accountable leaders consider all stakeholders and second-order systemic effects when making difficult project decisions (§3.6.3). |

## Artifact Connections
| Artifact | Connection |
|---|---|
| A04 — Project Charter | Formally authorizes the project manager, defines resource/decision authority, and outlines accountability relationships. |
| A11 — Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RACI) | Clarifies roles, responsibilities, decision rights, and accountability boundaries across the team. |
| A35 — Governance and Decision Authority Record | Records key governance structures, escalation paths, and decision logs to maintain transparency. |

## Skill Connections
| Skill ID | Skill Name | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| SKL-02-01 | Establish Governance Framework | Sets the boundary for decision rights, authority limits, and escalation rules. |
| SKL-04-07 | Manage and Lead Project Teams | Operationalizes leadership behaviors, team motivation, conflict management, and coaching. |

## Questions to Ask in Practice
1. Are decision rights, authority limits, and accountability boundaries clearly documented and understood?
2. Am I demonstrating accountability for my decisions and actions, especially when facing schedule or cost pressures?
3. How am I encouraging and enabling leadership behaviors among other team members?
4. Does our project environment feel safe enough for team members to admit mistakes or report risks early?

*Authority: PMBOK8 Standard §3.6 — Be an Accountable Leader · Source type: PMI-derived*
*Repository: https://github.com/fakhruldeen/PMOSkills*
