In the workplace, many desire autonomy: the ability to determine the way in which one goes about one's work. At the same time, many complain about being held accountable to meet defined metrics, as though they were being micromanaged or disrespected.
Autonomy in the workforce is never absolute: it is always bounded. Autonomy means that you can determine how best to go about meeting your metrics. Even self-employed freelancers are not absolutely autonomous; they are bounded by the expectations of their customers, and if they don't meet those expectations, they don't get paid.
Successfully autonomous people accomplish what they are accountable for. Their accountability doesn't detract from their autonomy; it demonstrates that they can successfully handle autonomy.
By the same token, authentic accountability implies autonomy; if you are accountable to accomplish something, that implies that you have leeway to determine how best to accomplish it. If you are held accountable, that's a sign of respect; you were deemed capable of accomplishing it.
So, at least in the workplace, autonomy and accountability are two sides of the same coin; each implies the existence of the other, and cannot be enjoyed without the other.
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