How Accountability Transformed My Journalism Career

My Costly Reporting Mistakes

At 23, early in my journalism career, I made a series of serious reporting errors:
- Falsely accused an innocent woman of plotting murder in a high-profile trial
- Made frequent factual errors (wrong names, dates, quotes)
- Once misquoted "shoe a horse" as "shoot a horse"

The libel lawsuit that followed could have ended my career with an $11 million demand. Instead of firing me, my editor gave me one final chance with a 3-day suspension and blunt advice: "You're sabotaging yourself."

The Turning Point: Embracing Accountability

Key realizations that changed my trajectory:
1. Stopped making excuses (no more blaming editors, sources, or fatigue)
2. Sought professional help through affordable therapy
3. Learned to "mistrust urgency" - my therapist's mantra
4. Faced my shame about repeated failures

The Power of Slowing Down

My therapy process (1981, pre-mindfulness movement) taught me:
- Childhood patterns made me tune out when stressed
- Running from feelings caused more mistakes
- Accountability required sitting with discomfort

"You've got to slow down to speed up" - The swim coach's advice that mirrored my therapeutic journey

Understanding the Shame Response

Clinical psychologist Mitch Abblett explains:
- Shame originates in primal brain survival mechanisms
- Mindfulness helps transition from shame to productive regret
- Example: Prisoners in The Dhamma Brothers documentary found liberation through sitting with their actions

True Accountability vs. Silicon Valley's "Fail Fast" Culture

Traditional Accountability	"Fail Fast" Approach
Deep, relationship-based	Quick public confessions
Systematic change	One-off storytelling
Lasting transformation	Temporary catharsis

Even "Fuckup Nights" founder Leticia Gasca now advocates for mindful failure - understanding consequences and sharing real lessons.

Practical Accountability in Daily Life

How I applied these lessons:
- Parenting: Owning mistakes to model humility (e.g., apologizing for late pickups)
- Work: Building trust through reliable fact-checking
- Relationships: Avoiding defensiveness when challenged

Key Takeaways for Professional Growth

Accountability requires trusted relationships (with editors, therapists, colleagues)
Lasting change takes time - no quick fixes
Mindfulness creates space between impulse and action
Owning failures builds credibility more than perfect performance

"We're responsible for things, but accountable to people" - Sam Silverstein on the relational nature of accountability

This slow, intentional approach to accountability didn't just save my career - it made me a better journalist, partner, and parent through continuous self-reflection and growth.

Articles tagged "j"

Articles tagged "j"

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