When setting goals and planning action steps it often helps to have an accountability partner.
Having an accountability partner means you committed to someone else. It may involve a scheduled time and/or place, a reporting in, and reminders. Sometimes knowing that you have a commitment with someone else pushes you forward so that you follow-through.
From the International Coach Federation list of 11 Core Competencies for a coach:
Managing Progress and Accountability – Ability to hold attention on what is important for the client, and to leave responsibility with the client to take action
This means that coaching certification will include both information on accountability and an opportunity to practice asking questions for accountability. Examples include:
- How do you prefer to manage accountability?
- How do you want me to serve as your accountability partner?
- What has been happening for you since we last spoke?
- How are you doing with your action steps?
- What has gone well?
- What do you want to do differently?
- What held you back?
- What helped?
- How will you move forward now?
- What happens if you don’t follow through?
- What happens if you do?
- How will you stay on track?
- What motivates you to follow-through?
Coaches are accountability partners. Coaches help clients define goals and plan action steps, and then coaches check-in with their clients for follow-through.
What are your ideas for managing accountability?
