What does it mean to be accountable?
How can you create an accountability relationship that helps you succeed? Should you find an accountability partner? Or perhaps join a group? Or is a mastermind right for you?
In last week’s Facebook Live, Chloe DiVita, BlogPaws’ COE, tackled these questions and more. Her video, Accountability relationships and you: how to succeed, covered everything from how to find the right people for your group (at 1:28) to establishing trust and confidentiality (22:10).
Here are 10 tips on how to form and maximize an accountability relationship:
- Find the right people. Before you commit, share what you hope to get out of the meeting. Make sure each person feels like they can offer the support needed.
- Make a commitment statement for trust/confidentiality. Big shout-out to Alison Reder for that important point! Consider incorporating trust into your bylaws (check out minute 6:30 for this critical tip).
- Determine the meeting frequency and length. This is often driven by how many people are meeting. Chloe recommends using Doodle.com for scheduling.
- Determine the expectations. How do you handle when someone can’t make it? How many “misses” warrant a discussion around whether there is still value to keep that person in the group. Nothing is worse than feeling like you are giving but not receiving.
- Set the structure. Three suggestions she shared (Get the full info at minute 4:16):
- Split time evenly
- Have a “hot seat”
- Allow the first five minutes for sharing how much time everyone needs and divide from there
- Decide who the moderator is. It can be a shared responsibility.
- Create “bylaws” for the group. Make it a shared, living doc.
- State the kind of feedback you’re looking for. Make the most of your turn by being clear on what you need.
- Offer the feedback being asked for in point 8. And if you have feedback outside of that, ask if it’s okay to offer it before doing so.
- Make a commitment. At the end of the session, commit to what you will accomplish before the next meeting.
- Bonus tip: Record the meeting or take notes! (11:12 for tips and tools)
Be sure to watch the video to get the full story! The comments are full of helpful tips and hands-on experience, too, so read through those as you watch. Don’t miss the tip shared from Elizabeth Keene at 24:15.
If you have any questions on how to structure an accountability relationship, or want more information about the logistics of running a group, leave a comment here so Chloe can share her expertise. If you’re in a group and need additional support or advice on how to handle specific situations, share those here, too, so we can provide that needed support.
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