Accountability
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 3:49PM |
The concept of accountability in business is one that is not foreign to entrepreneurs. To accomplish the tasks and goals necessary for success, one must possess a sense of accountability; a willingness to accept the responsibility of the goal and do what is required to achieve it. What is new to this equation is the concept of “Accountability Partners”. Similar to a business mentor, coach or a goal-setting buddy, an Accountability Partner is a trusted and respected fellow business professional that will act as a goal-setting moderator. Employees have managers, CEO's have a board of directors. A different perspective is crucial in any business success. Entrepreneurs need to think about who they have in their business circle that can act as a spring board for ideas and ensure accountability. The idea is to hold regular meetings with your Accountability Partner who will challenge, motivate, mentor, encourage and inspire you to achieve maximum results. Regular meetings can be weekly, bi-weekly or monthly but consistency is the key. Knowing that you will have to report your successes or failure at a pre-determined date can get even the most guilty procrastinators the drive to achieve their prearranged goals. There are vast reasons why keeping a relationship with an Accountability Partner is a beneficial plan. With life and work stress, time management issues, financial struggles and all the difficulties of entrepreneurship, it is easy to avoid, neglect or pass over necessary goals. Many a time, it is easier to do this when one is reporting only to him or herself. However, with an Accountability Partner, there is a greater motivation to not let the partner down and to look good in front of a peer. Guilt is a great trigger for completing tasks and an effective partner can use just the right amount of verbal or non-verbal encouragement to ensure tasks are being completed. Some other benefits of utilizing an Accountability Partner include:
During your search for an appropriate Accountability Partner, keep in mind that the right person should be a fellow entrepreneur or business owner. He or she should be someone who will challenge, engage and evoke a sense of accomplishment in you. Confidence, creativity and strength are all traits that will be useful to you. Also consider choosing an Accountability Partner who you trust to keep confidence as you may get into financial and personal discussions that are confidential in nature. Having a personal relationship with the Accountability Partner is not necessary. There are several groups and organizations that can link you up with potential partners. Joining a Mastermind Group in your area may be an option and will keep you on track with your goals and responsibilities in an environment with like-minded entrepreneurs. |
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