Accountable People Achieve Results

Held Accountable

We take responsibility, but we are held accountable. And good leaders hold themselves, not just others, accountable. The year is just about over — okay, many folks are on vacation at this point, so for all practical purposes, the year is over — and so this is an excellent time to look back and hold ourselves accountable.

As I look back over the year, I see some gaps in my own goals versus achievements. Generally, I let the “personal” goals slide, ostensibly to let the professional goals take precedence.  However, I lean toward suggesting that perhaps that is simply an excuse.

Achievements

I did achieve many goals this year, though, so I do not want to be too hard on myself. One reason for any success I have had in “knocking off my goals” has been my accountability partner. Just thinking this through, we met sometime in 2005 and have had a telephone “accountability sessions” almost every week since then. My partner (and, of course, now a good friend) lives in Florida and I in Southern California. So the distance requires that we have a phone conversation rather than a face-to-face meeting. It still works out well.

Accountability Partner

I hope that one of the things you will commit to doing for the new year is to find an accountability partner if you don’t already have one. Be willing to be held accountable for your stated intentions. And be ready to reciprocate by holding your partner accountable as well. It has worked for me, and I know it will continue in the coming year.

[Lightly edited on 9/2020 for our new website.]