Nov 233 min read

Accountability: The Missing Ingredient in True Expertise

“A mind is too important to waste on it.” – Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, a visionary who redefined industries, often shared ideas that challenged conventional thinking. One of his more striking critiques was directed at consultants. Jobs believed they lacked deep understanding because they were insulated from the consequences of their recommendations.

This isn’t merely a swipe at the consulting profession—it’s a profound insight into how knowledge and wisdom are cultivated. Jobs’ argument hinged on one crucial principle: accountability. Without it, even the sharpest minds risk becoming detached from reality.

The Weight of Results: Where True Learning Happens

Ideas are easy. The world is full of people with suggestions, frameworks, and strategies. But ideas without execution are mere illusions. Jobs understood that the process of bringing ideas to life—navigating challenges, adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and measuring outcomes—is what transforms theoretical knowledge into actionable expertise.

Consultants, he argued, often operate in a vacuum. They present strategies, collect feedback, and leave. But what happens next? Do their ideas succeed? If not, why? This feedback loop is essential, and without it, their understanding remains surface-level.

Contrast this with leaders, entrepreneurs, or engineers who are deeply involved in execution. They live with their decisions, absorb the consequences, and, most importantly, learn. Their failures teach them resilience; their successes reveal patterns. Every outcome adds to their toolkit of experience, refining their ability to make better decisions in the future.

Vishwanath Akuthota Accountability: The Missing Ingredient in True Expertise

Why Accountability Breeds Mastery

Jobs’ insight underscores a universal truth: real expertise is born from responsibility.

Skin in the game: Those who have something to lose—be it reputation, resources, or relationships—approach problems with a different mindset. They think long-term and consider second- and third-order effects.
Iterative learning: Being accountable means engaging in a continuous cycle of hypothesis, action, feedback, and improvement. Without this loop, knowledge becomes static.
Empathy through experience: When you live through the impact of your decisions, you develop a nuanced understanding of stakeholders’ challenges. This empathy sharpens problem-solving and decision-making.

The Danger of Detachment

In a world increasingly driven by knowledge economies, this lesson is more relevant than ever. The rise of remote work, gig economies, and freelance expertise has amplified the risk of detachment. When professionals are hired to consult, advise, or innovate without long-term involvement, their contributions may lack the depth and practicality needed for sustained impact.

This is not to dismiss consultants outright—many bring invaluable perspectives. But it serves as a reminder that the best ideas come from those who are invested in their outcomes.

Building Accountability into Expertise

For those aspiring to lead or innovate, the takeaway is clear: embrace accountability. Don’t shy away from roles or projects where you’re responsible for the results. These experiences will challenge you, but they will also define and elevate your expertise.

If you’re hiring consultants, ensure they have some skin in the game. Demand measurable outcomes. Invite them to stay engaged long enough to experience the ripple effects of their strategies.

Jobs’ critique wasn’t about tearing down consultants—it was about raising the bar for what we consider expertise. A mind is indeed too important to waste on shallow thinking. To build true mastery, we must commit ourselves to the hard, unglamorous work of seeing our ideas through to the end.