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Being Accountable to Someone Else can Boost Productivity
Making yourself accountable to someone else improves productivity and effectiveness. That is the very reason why successful people work with a professional coach. Set the parameters of your relationship. Ask that person to question you about how you manage your time, what you are working on and what you are getting done. The very fact of you knowing you have to give an account to them shifts your thinking to a different level. You will begin to look for more effective ways to think and act. You will spend more focused time on critical projects and accomplish more real work. And you will have increasingly better reports to give to your accountability partner.
In fact, the real expert is not really an expert at all, but a support system. What we all need is the kind of support that functions like a personal coach who helps us work through certain problems, has suggestions for appropriate fixes, but never tries to limit anyone. John Eliot, Overachievement2004, Penguin Group
Five Days of Action- DAY ONE Think about having an accountability partner to whom you report. The purpose of this relationship is to be accountable for intentional growth and action toward greater effectiveness and contribution. This may be your mentor, a professional coach, a trusted advisor or someone pursuing the same path you are. Choose carefully. This person should be a broad thinker and able to ask penetrating questions that spur you on to improvement. Make a list of the people you would feel comfortable with in this role.
- DAY TWO Write down the mandate of your accountability partner. Give them the latitude to question you about your actions, your motives, how you think, how you handle stress, relationships, work habits and anything else you can think of. Be as broad or tight in your instructions as you feel will benefit you.
- DAY THREE Approach someone on your list. Engage them as a partner as you embark on consciously improving your effectiveness.
- DAY FOUR Be honest. Talk about your perceived gaps in personal, work and leadership knowledge, skill or attitude. This person may need time to get to know you. Give them the fullest picture you can every time you meet.
- DAY FIVE Determine to be a leader who is consciously working on improvement. Have a personal plan of development and communicate it to your accountability partner. It doesn't need to be onerous, but it does need to answer the question, “What am I working on at the moment?”.
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Do you have a great story about this topic? I invite you to share it! I'm sure your experience and insight will prove helpful to someone else.
The objective of this site and our whole service is to help others be more productive and effective in work, in leadership and life in general. So your story is important. If it fits the topic, I'll use it.
Thanks for doing this.
Gary
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What These Practical Productivity Strategies Have Meant to Others
Gary Wood is a master Coach who delivers just what we need: laser-like direction and tools to gain control of our time and life ... these principles are practical and on target. F. Joseph Miller
Sr. Director, Information Technology
XOMA (US) LLC
California
These principles have been authored by a man who has been in the trenches long enough to know the good and practical nuggets from the trendy but impractical nuggets. I have been able to integrate many of these principles into my work habits and I am now able to achieve more results with less stress. A must-read for anyone seeking to break out of a rut and rise to new levels of personal achievement. Tim Hauber
General Manager
Lucayan Tropical Produce
Bahamas
These principles are a fantastic teaching tool that reminds even the most seasoned leaders of the important concepts that must be taught, modeled and measured to strengthen one's style and approach. They provide hope that if the commitment is there, improvement can happen. Sherry Fournier
Director, Autism Services
Child Care Resources
Ontario
Gary Wood is an excellent coach. In these principles you will discover Gary's coaching knowledge and skills. He not only shares important principles, but provides diagnostic tools and practical solutions, and the motivation to use them. Colin McKenzie
Senior Pastor
Fellowship Baptist Church
Kanata, Ontario
Gary has the gift of bringing clarity and focus to any situation. These principles and his book belong on the desks of busy people who will learn from his wisdom and pragmatic style. Judy Santos
ICF Master Certified Coach
Founder and President
Christian Coaches Network
As a long-time colleague of Gary's, I have grown to appreciate his practicality, creativity and leadership. His latest book, 52 Solutions for Those Who Need a 25 Hour Day, demonstrates these same attributes. It is very practical in introducing one concrete idea at a time, it is creative in suggesting how to work with this idea indifferent ways throughout the week, and it shows leadership in illustrating how we can integrate many small changes over the period of a year. If we follow Gary's clear directions, I am sure that each of us can significantly "redeem our time" and become more effective in our individual vocation. Dr. Doug Hayhoe
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Science Education
Tyndale University College
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