People climbing a steep mountain, helping each other.

Why Having an Accountability Buddy is a Game-Changer

I was all geared up to dive into goal-setting, driving performance and effective feedback – the essentials every team leader aims to master. But then it hit me: a great plan is just the beginning. What truly counts is following through on our plans. So, I'm starting my blog with a post about something crucial yet frequently overlooked: accountability.

Ever think you can keep yourself on track all the time? It sounds cool but let’s be real, it’s difficult. Imagine you promise yourself to finish something by Friday. It’s kind of like making a pinky promise with yourself. Easy to make, but super easy to break, right? You can always find reasons to push things off, and suddenly, Friday’s plan is next month’s maybe.

Enter the accountability buddy. It must be someone you trust big time. Could be your boss, a colleague, a coach, or even a mate or family member. They’re in your corner, knowing what you’re aiming for, why it is important to you, and when you wanna hit it. Their job? Keep you in check. It’s a bit tougher to wiggle out of a commitment when someone else is watching.

Want to level up? Go public with your goals. In my team, we do this cool thing every Monday - it's called "Weekly Shipping". We jot down our big tasks for the week in a shared file. It’s got what we’re doing, why it’s a big deal, and when it’s due. Simple but super effective. Plus, it’s a great way for the team to chime in and help out if they can.


So, while it's tempting to dive into all the fancy leadership tips, let's not skip the basics. Accountability is where it’s at. With a buddy to keep you on your toes, you’re way more likely to do what you said you’d do. And that’s a pretty solid start to hitting those goals, don’t you think?


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