Business Improvement Begins with Accountability

Posted July 12, 2012 by Dave Crenshaw

Have you ever heard of Bob Bowman? Perhaps you have or haven’t, yet you’ve certainly seen the results of his professional work. You’ll see it again very soon during the upcoming Olympic Games. You see, Bob happens to be Michael Phelps’s swimming coach.

Consider this for a moment: what if Michael decided, instead of coaching with Bob, to read books, get swim tips from websites and listen to passing tips from other swimmers? Certainly he wouldn’t be in the place he is today.

Yet too many people do just that when it comes to their own career and businesses improvement. These “tip addicts” believe that with lots of studying and listening they too can rise to the top.

Watch this brief video if you want results that last beyond the moment.

Action Steps:

Think about who holds you accountable. Your friends? A mentor? A coach?
Please share, on this page, how you are getting—or plan to get—accountability.

Principles to Learn:

Everyone needs someone else to hold them accountable for their actions and results.
Your friends are great for moral support, not so much for getting you to the next level with your business career.
Mentors provide great accountability because they’ve been where you want to go. However, because they have inconsistent schedules their help isn’t always available.
Coaches are dedicated to your success because their success literally depends on your success. Hiring a coach is one of the best things you can do, as an employee, as an executive, or as a business owner.

Tags: Accountability, business coaching, Business Owner, CEO Coaching, conditioning, Dave Crenshaw, Entrepreneurship, management, mentors

Rolando Gill

In the past I have signed contracts that commit me for long periods of time to coaching. I am then subjected to formulaic approaches that do not take into consideration my strengths and work processes. I know that I need accountability but I am looking for a coach that will help me understand either the need for the formula or will understand and help me modify my approach to accomplishing my goal. In the interim, I am constantly looking for tips and I don’t like it. Thanks for your video.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Thank you, Rolando. You’re very correct: the quality of the coaching makes a huge difference.

My intent with these posts isn’t to directly solicit business, but perhaps my assistant should set up a call for us to talk. I have no long term contracts. Everything is month-to-month. And I’m extremely fluid in my approach to coaching. My favorite quote regarding coaching is from Bruce Lee who said, “Be Like Water”

Keith Boroch

Am currently using a coach and find it very helpful! With that said, you have to sure that the coach you hire will do what you NEED…. not necessarily what you WANT! I need a hammer to keep me on task…. the accountability is key as are probing questions about why I am avoiding certain areas or initiatives.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Very, very true. “what you NEED…. not necessarily what you WANT” I like calling this being the immovable pillar. Thanks, Keith!

Jason

I realized this year the important need of hiring the right coaches to keep me accountable in order to change my life. So I hired coaches for the different aspects I needed to work on: Wealth Management, Speaker Coaches, Physical Trainer, Dietitian, Dance Instructor, Foreign Language Coaches, and joined the right Mastermind Groups. Top it off with hiring Dave Crenshaw as my Business Coach and I’m well on my way to making some huge and excellent changes moving forward. Great post and video Dave, and Thank You for the excellent coaching.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Very true. The principle of Accountability can apply in every area of our lives, not just business improvement.

It’s an honor to serve you, Jason!

http://twitter.com/MegginMcIntosh Meggin McIntosh

As a coach, I always make sure I also have a coach (at least one!) The accountability piece is so huge for me each week. There are times it just makes me laugh at how I get busy and do things when I know I have a call with my coach! Thanks, Dave. Excellent as always.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

It’s easy to be prideful and think we know it all because we teach it to others. Yet we all need accountability–especially the coaches coaching others!

Thanks for the comment, Meggin. Good to “see” you.

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Great post as always. Thanks Dave!

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

You’re welcome, Aslam.

De

This was my year to make it happen. I’ve been trying on my own, and kept hitting a wall. This year I hired a coach, and she doesn’t let me get away with anything- which is really good. She totally makes me accountable and I am making progress.
Thanks- you are so right – a coach does make a difference! D

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Finding the right coach has so much to do with “fit”. Glad you found the right fit for you, De!

Keith

Dave, I would love to hear about a fourth option that I believe Ben Franklin used, a junta. (As Ben used it, a group of like minded colleagues) Maybe it doesn’t keep the individual accountability, but Ben seemed to believe it was instrumental to his incredible success. Yes, I am quoting a book, please forgive me. Would a Junta be a different concept, or a fourth option?

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Hi, Keith. I believe you’re referring to the Junto
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junto_(club) Mastermind groups and the like fall into this category.

And yes, they can be a fourth option, yet not one I recommend. I define accountability is 1:1, not one to many. I’ve seen many–MANY–people fool groups like these. It’s easy to slip throug the cracks, put on a good face and puff yourself up for a crowd. And the more influential a person is in a group, often the harder it becomes for others to hold that person accountable.

Accountability is much stronger when it comes from one person who knows you intimately and is committed to your success. At least that’s my perspective based on years of working 1:1 with business owners.

Thanks!

Mohsin Amarjee

Thanks for sharing such a great video. I learn a lot from these short videos, so quickly.

I am so much in need for an Alfred in my work. Could you please elaborate on 4th point? I didnt get the exact meaning.

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