Authentic Accountability

Authentic Accountability

Accountability is the backbone of success. Without accountability, dreams, and ambitions will almost always fall by the wayside. With accountability, motivation levels go up, things get done even when the effort doesn’t seem worth it, and goals get accomplished. So why don’t more people use accountability to propel them forward? Some people don’t have a good understanding of how to use accountability or they tend to misuse accountability by setting up false expectations with the people that it will be applied to.

Stephen Covey, author and motivational speaker, says “Accountability breeds response-ability”. This point is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for accountability that stops progress before it even starts. When people are going to hold each other accountable for one thing or another, it needs to be done with the utmost respect and truest intentions to take on such a great responsibility. If this responsibility is taken lightly or shrugged off, it creates a void within the relationship that not only hurts the current journey to success but also future requests for accountability. Accountability is one of the truest forms of caring one person can show to another.

The relationship between the parties involved in accountability is crucial to the success of their effort. Best put, accountability without a relationship is harassment. Meaning if a person tries to hold another accountable but has not yet established a relationship, their efforts can be perceived as harassment regardless of the intention on the part of the person striving to hold another accountable.

Great ways to set up and sustain an accountability relationship include:
• develop a caring environment to provide feedback to one another
• establishing expectations of the accountability by discussing specific ways
to communicate deviations
• be honest with yourself when deciding on those expectations
• discuss the goal that is being strived for and what achieving it will mean
to the parties involved
• convey the importance and responsibility that is expected from the
relationship
• give feedback regularly
• stay connected and check in with one another to make sure things are being
perceived as intended
• show genuine appreciation to those involved
• reciprocate accountability when possible and requested

Another common issue that arises with accountability that comes on the receiving end of the relationship is how to take others feedback. In a good accountability relationship, all parties enter from the stand point of caring enough to help one of the parties achieve a goal. When people enter into an accountability relationship and are asked to truly hold another accountable, it must be done with the intent on from all that that each is agreeing to the responsibility involved and that the accountability will be followed through on. Remember that the person holding you accountable is helping you keep your word that you will do what you said you would do. Authentic accountability, means saying the tough things we might not want to say. In other words, that person has agreed to tell you what you NEED to hear and not necessarily what you WANT to hear, so be careful what you ask for.

Accountability must never be confused with enforcement. All too often the two are used synonymously when their meanings and uses are far too important to be used in this way. Enforcement is used by those in a position of authority to uphold rules, regulations, contracts, etc. to avoid coming across as a dictator or tyrant. Many people use the word “accountability” as a softer approach in these situations, when really they are enforcing a standard that has been placed upon someone, NOT a standard that was agreed upon. This is usually due to a lack of understanding of the difference as well as the common desire for people to like you by not coming across as too harsh.

When used properly, accountability has the power to bring relationships closer and accomplish great things in the world. Revisit past accountability relationships to see if there are ways to enhance them and you should also feel equipped with the tools needed to have a great accountability relationship when the next opportunity arises to help someone accomplish great things!

Jonathan Lewis is a Personal & Business Empowerment Coach that works with individuals to break through limiting thoughts and turning potential into achievement.

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