Trouble achieving your goals? Then perhaps you need an accountability partner: someone in your professional or personal life who helps you to work on a goal that really matters to you.
You may have started a new project or exercise regimen, or you’re finally trying to finish writing that book. Your accountability partner is a trusted person who provides meaningful support as you work toward those goals.
Over the course of my career, I’ve been a better starter than a finisher. I love the thrill of generating ideas and launching projects. As I’ve matured, I’ve come to understand and value finishing. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a challenge, especially on larger projects.
For those bigger or longer-term initiatives, I’ve found that often an accountability partner can help me to stay on task – and yes, even finish!
But having a partner isn’t like having a genie that will grant you three accountability wishes. It takes work and responsibility for both parties.
Please Take Part!
What: #MTtalk
Where: Twitter
When: March 25 @ 1 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT / 10:30 p.m. IST)
Topic: How to Be an Accountability Partner
Host: @Mind_Tools
“If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.”
African proverb
Accountability You Can Count On
The best and most effective accountability partnerships I’ve been a part of have had these six characteristics in common:
- Clarity. Have clear objectives in mind for your project or goal. And know exactly why you’re seeking someone to help hold you accountable.
- Honesty. First, be honest with yourself. Why do I want to work with an accountability partner? Then be honest with your partner. How can they best help you to achieve your goals?
- Reciprocity. Make sure that your partnership isn’t just a one-way street. Even if you’re the person who’s being helped, find ways to say “thank you” and perhaps help your partner with a challenge or goal they may be facing.
- Consistency. Set consistent times to meet. Share expectations and topics prior to each meeting. Follow up with action steps. Who does what next?
- Closure. Even if the partnership is ongoing and long-lasting, remember to close specific chapters as progress is made and projects are completed.
- Celebration. Make a big deal about your successes, no matter how small. And remember to express gratitude to the person who’s helped you stay on task.
Accountability Partners’ Checklist
Asking questions is a great way to define roles and responsibilities – and to set clear expectations up front for both partners.
One accountability partner I worked with for many years would ask some version of the same questions when I’d come to him with a new project, challenge or idea:
- What’s your specific goal?
- What’s your plan for achieving the goal?
- How much time will it take?
- Where will you find the time?
- When do you expect to finish?
- What might get in your way?
- How will you overcome this?
- What will success look like?
By getting me to answer these questions up front, he was already starting to hold me accountable. When I’ve been able to return the favor, and helped colleagues to stay accountable, I’ve found that it’s just as rewarding for me as for the person I’m trying to help.
And by helping them to stay on task, I learn along the way and shore up my own accountability behaviors.
Help Is All Around – If You Know Where to Look
As you seek an accountability partner, understand that one type of partnership may not fit every situation or goal. I have colleagues who’ve joined accountability communities that meet regularly to help all members focus and make progress toward their individual goals.
And recently I’ve co-partnered with an accountability partner. They help me and I help them.
No matter the accountability path you choose, remember the basics: work with someone you trust; set clear goals; respect the time, talents and energy your partner is sharing; show up, do the work; share results; and thank them.
About This Week’s “Accountability Partner” Chat
In our #MTtalk Twitter chat this week, we’re going to discuss how to be a good accountability partner, as well as the benefits of having one.
So, in our Twitter poll, we wanted to know which characteristic you’d like all of your accountability partners to have. And 50 percent of respondents voted for trustworthiness, while only six percent wanted their accountability partners to be strict. To see all the options and results, please click here.
We’d love you to participate in the chat, and the following questions may spark some thoughts in preparation for it:
- What difference does an accountability partner make?
- Shouldn’t we just hold ourselves accountable?
- When have you found it most helpful to have an accountability partner?
- What qualities do you look for when you select an accountability partner?
- What should you not do as an accountability partner? Why?
- Imagine that you’re an accountability partner and you feel like you’re wasting your time. What do you do?
Accountability Partner Resources
To help you prepare for the chat, we’ve compiled a list of resources for you to browse. (Note that you’ll need to be a Mind Tools Club or Corporate member to see all of the resources in full.)
Taking Responsibility in a New Leadership Role
Organizing Disorganized People
Helping People Take Responsibility
How to Take Part in #MTtalk
Follow us on Twitter to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the action this Friday! We’ll be tweeting out 10 questions during our hour-long chat.
To participate in the chat, type #MTtalk in the Twitter search function. Then, click on “Latest” and you’ll be able to follow the live chat feed. You can join the chat by using the hashtag #MTtalk in your responses.
The post How to Be an Accountability Partner – Join Our #MTtalk appeared first on Mind Tools Blog.
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