As business leaders, trainers, coaches and even parents, we’re often put in situations where we have to hold one or more people accountable to do their job, make the right decisions, or perform at a higher level. When dealing with entrepreneurs (agents), we have to understand that the concept of accountability—and the desire to be held accountable—goes against their natural disposition. According to Dave Blanchard, CEO of The Og Mandino Group, “99.5 percent of all entrepreneurs are resistant to structure, 80 percent are resistant to authority, and 97 percent are constantly obsessively thinking.” That means the very people we’re trying to hold accountable don’t want the accountability!
Accountability Is Critical to Success
Top income earners have coaches in many areas of their lives, including a business coach, financial coach, fitness coach and sometimes a mindset coach. The elite have learned that good coaching comes with a higher level of accountability, and that drives them to do better. A good coach will not accept excuses and pushes you outside of your comfort zone to excel in business—and life.
Accountability Is Synonymous With Integrity
If you make a commitment to do something, and you’re a person of integrity, you’ll do it. Many times we don’t want to be coached because we don’t want to feel guilty for not living up to our commitments. Don’t avoid it.
Being Willing to Be Held Accountable Opens the Door to New Opportunities
It’s amazing to be part of the growth of so many people. As we hold our clients accountable to prospect daily, practice their scripts and dialogues, and become masters of real estate, it’s amazing to see their confidence increase, and, as a result, their business grow. When we have a client who pushes back and isn’t willing to be held accountable, the opposite is true. They continue to do things as they always have, and their results don’t change.
Accountability Equals Love
As a parent, we tell our children to look both ways before crossing the street, and when they run into the street, we scream “STOP!” and then snatch them up and hug them. With teenagers, we create accountability by putting curfews in place and teaching them that when they’re violated, there are consequences. School teaches that when you turn your homework in correctly and on time, you get good grades. Each of these acts, and the accountability that comes with them, are spoken out of love. We love you; therefore, we’re willing to hold you accountable to do the things that seem hard at first, but will ultimately protect you and help you grow.
If you’re ready to grow in your business and fulfill the commitments you make, true accountability through credible coaching should be your next step. There are a lot of coaches out there, but few understand the power of commitment and accountability, and the love it takes to do the hard things.
As a team leader, don’t let your agents down by allowing them to avoid accountability.
As a parent, well, I stopped giving parenting advice a long time ago. Simply love your children enough to hold them accountable.
Verl Workman
is the founder and CEO of Workman Success Systems (385-282-7112), an international speaking, consulting and coaching company that specializes in performance coaching and building successful power agents and teams. Contact him at Verl@WorkmanSuccessSystems.com. For more information, please visit www.workmansuccesssystems.com.
