Accountability isn't really something most people voluntarily
sign up for. Thinking about it will make us cringe a little and make us
feel like children being berated for not turning in our homework. But if
we are really honest with ourselves, there is at least one area in our
life where we need some serious accountability. Accountability helps us
to follow through on our commitments and it also gives us integrity.
People who are held accountable are more trustworthy and more
self-aware. They are the people who actively pursue self-improvement and
growth in their lives.
Accountability involves conflict
There is probably only a very small amount of people who run toward conflict. The rest of us do our best to stay away from it. With accountability, a person kind of has to get in the middle of conflict. If someone isn't following through on their commitments it might be hard to pull them aside and remind them that at the end of each week they have to submit a certain report. It's even harder for a person to hold someone of authority accountable for their commitments.
Accountability requires discipline
Let's be realistic... are we really going to hold ourselves accountable consistently? Probably not. Think of how many times you decided not to go to the gym because you forgot your ear buds at home. Or how about that time you said you were going to wake up 30 minutes early every day to help you get a jump start on the day. How long did that last? Accountability is much easier when you have other people holding you accountable.
Accountability hurts our pride
It's hard to admit to other people, and even our self that we were wrong or that we let someone down or that we didn't follow through with our promises. It just seems easier to lie than admit we didn't follow through with our commitment.
For some people, accountability is more about staying away from guilt and shame. So, instead of understanding the importance of following through to reach their goals, they are acting out of fear.
How to make accountability work
The best way to make accountability work is to 1) acknowledge that a lot of personal growth comes out of accountability and 2) have a circle of influence who will actually hold you accountable.
Each person should have the goal of personal growth and becoming a better person. This can involve reading more, creating to-do lists to make them more productive, or having someone to hold them accountable. Everyone has a circle of influence. We may not call it that, but it is the people around us who are close to us and who we trust have influence in our lives. A great circle of influence wants to see you grow and succeed. They want what is best for you. They are the people who hold you accountable.
One of the greatest benefits small business owners receive from coaching is the accountability. It's easy to make a plan, and you may even make a few dents in it for a week or two, but after a few weeks you may start making small excuses to not follow through. Those small excuses will eventually become big excuses if you are not being held accountable. Small business owners who have a coach are more determined to follow through on their commitments because they have someone who cares about their growth and success and will actually hold them accountable.
Accountability involves conflict
There is probably only a very small amount of people who run toward conflict. The rest of us do our best to stay away from it. With accountability, a person kind of has to get in the middle of conflict. If someone isn't following through on their commitments it might be hard to pull them aside and remind them that at the end of each week they have to submit a certain report. It's even harder for a person to hold someone of authority accountable for their commitments.
Accountability requires discipline
Let's be realistic... are we really going to hold ourselves accountable consistently? Probably not. Think of how many times you decided not to go to the gym because you forgot your ear buds at home. Or how about that time you said you were going to wake up 30 minutes early every day to help you get a jump start on the day. How long did that last? Accountability is much easier when you have other people holding you accountable.
Accountability hurts our pride
It's hard to admit to other people, and even our self that we were wrong or that we let someone down or that we didn't follow through with our promises. It just seems easier to lie than admit we didn't follow through with our commitment.
For some people, accountability is more about staying away from guilt and shame. So, instead of understanding the importance of following through to reach their goals, they are acting out of fear.
How to make accountability work
The best way to make accountability work is to 1) acknowledge that a lot of personal growth comes out of accountability and 2) have a circle of influence who will actually hold you accountable.
Each person should have the goal of personal growth and becoming a better person. This can involve reading more, creating to-do lists to make them more productive, or having someone to hold them accountable. Everyone has a circle of influence. We may not call it that, but it is the people around us who are close to us and who we trust have influence in our lives. A great circle of influence wants to see you grow and succeed. They want what is best for you. They are the people who hold you accountable.
One of the greatest benefits small business owners receive from coaching is the accountability. It's easy to make a plan, and you may even make a few dents in it for a week or two, but after a few weeks you may start making small excuses to not follow through. Those small excuses will eventually become big excuses if you are not being held accountable. Small business owners who have a coach are more determined to follow through on their commitments because they have someone who cares about their growth and success and will actually hold them accountable.
