We tend to flinch when we hear the word “accountability.”
It scares us. It makes us reflect a little bit: like we’re about to receive some kind of judgment.
Also, it sounds like being called into the principal’s office or getting a lecture from a boss. Most of us have been conditioned to see it as “taking the blame”: a negative consequence we try to dodge to save face.
But recently, we ran into some thoughts from our advisory couple, Stuart and Carol, that frame it differently.
They’ve spent their lives in the “people business”: from healthcare and construction to serving a mission in the Australian Outback. Now, they are our new Advisory Couple!
The Advisory Couple helps students tailor their vision and achieve their goals.
Stuart’s take is simple, but shifts the whole foundation:
“Accountability means that we understand and take responsibility for our actions. No matter what the consequences will be… Many people fail to take responsibility because they see accountability as ‘taking the blame’ rather than an opportunity to correct behavior and build trust.”
Moving Past the “Blame” Trap
When you view accountability as blame, your first instinct is defense. You make excuses, you point fingers, or you hide. But as Stuart and Carol at Cumorah point out, that mindset misses the point entirely.
If you’re Stuart, building homes for decades or leading the Home Builders Association, you know that if a foundation is cracked, blaming the ground doesn’t fix the house. You take responsibility, you fix the slab, and you move forward.
That’s how you build a reputation that lasts, in his own words.
If you’re Carol, working in a lab or radiology for over three decades, you know that precision and ownership aren’t optional. Taking responsibility for your work isn’t about admitting failure; it’s about maintaining the integrity required to care for people’s health.
Ownership Is the Beginning of Growth
Whether they were serving youth, raising five children, or living among Aboriginal communities in the Australian Outback, one lesson remained constant: accountability builds trust.
When people take ownership of their mistakes, others stop focusing on the failure and start noticing their character. True accountability is not about perfection. It’s about honesty, humility, and growth.
Real accountability means doing what you said you would do — and owning it when you fall short. Instead of becoming a burden, accountability becomes an opportunity: an opportunity to improve, strengthen relationships, and become someone others can rely on.
At Cumorah Academy, we want students to develop this mindset in every aspect of their lives. Because leadership begins when individuals learn to take responsibility for who they are becoming.
What Is a Life Vision?
A life vision is a direction for your future.
It reflects your values, your dreams, and the kind of person you want to become. It becomes your “why”: the reason you keep moving forward even when life feels uncertain or difficult.
A life vision is a written declaration of:
- Who you are
- What matters most to you
- Where do you want your life to go
When you create a clear vision for your future, you begin to:
- Gain focus and direction
- Increase motivation and resilience
- Make decisions with greater confidence and purpose
“Then It Doesn’t Matter Which Way You Go”
In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds herself standing at a fork in the road and asks the Cheshire Cat, “Which way should I go?”
The Cat replies, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
When Alice admits she doesn’t really care where she ends up, the Cat responds with a timeless truth:
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
Without vision, direction becomes meaningless. But when you know who you want to become, every choice begins to matter.
Meet our Advisory Couple
They are the parents of five children. Carol used to work in a clinic, handling X-rays and lab work. “I loved working in that field,” she recalls. After returning from his mission, Stuart worked in construction alongside his father. Later, he started his own business.
Thanks to a friend on the board, the couple learned about Cumorah Academy and its mission. “We wanted to be part of it,” says Stuart. They love working with youth, especially in this important part of their lives.
Now, they are here with students.
A Place to Discover Purpose
At Cumorah Academy, we believe great leaders are built through character, vision, faith, and action.
Our campus is a place where:
- learning meets purpose,
- faith inspires action,
- and growth becomes an unforgettable adventure.
We invite you to explore our social media platforms and experience a glimpse of daily life on campus. Learn more about leadership, personal development, English, business, and much more.
Your life vision could shape a future bigger than you imagine. Are you ready to apply?
Written by Florencia Baez Bermudez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
