Trust is a major factor in the success of a business accountability partnership – you need to feel you are in a safe and secure space to be completely honest about what is happening in your business and be comfortable enough to ask for help.
Throughout life, we are generally taught that peer pressure is something to be avoided. From smoking to teen drinking, peer pressure is typically associated with bullying and negative life choices. But there is one thing it can help with in your business, that is in terms of developing business accountability.
Recently, researchers are continually proving that certain aspects of social influence can be incredibly powerful (and positive) motivators for people to meet their personal and professional goals. This is largely down to the accountability factor.
Humans are social creatures and being answerable to those we like and respect, such as our peers, is a huge catalyst to achieving things that we wouldn’t necessarily accomplish alone.
We offer peer-based accountability sessions, both in-person and virtually. Many of our members are solopreneurs and find that these meetings act as a trusted sounding board and are the ideal way to foster a relationship-based, collaborative culture within their business.
Peer-based accountability differs to formal mentoring partnerships, which tend to involve superiority and include people from the same profession.
Our membership is diverse, including lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, marketing professionals and more. This means our accountability sessions offer members access to a range of expertise and feedback from women who have a mutual understanding of the challenges involved in growing a business.
Peer-based accountability sessions can also be more flexible and easier to implement than formal mentoring partnerships – meaning, they are an ideal option for businesses of all sizes.
If you are seeking some accountability within your business, or are perhaps looking for an accountability partner, here are things to remember:
1. Find someone you can trust
Trust is a major factor in the success of a business accountability partnership. You need to feel you are in a safe and secure space to be completely honest about what is happening in your business and be comfortable enough to ask for help. Seek a partnership that is not intimidating.
2. Set specific goals
At the conclusion of our accountability sessions, each member has a list of actionable goals to work on. Breaking these goals down into smaller steps makes them achievable and less of a dream.
3. Schedule regular catch-ups
In order for an accountability partnership to work, both parties need to be accountable.
The key to this is to ensure you are being “checked up on” frequently to ensure you are making progress with your goals. The catch-ups don’t always have to be in person. A regularly scheduled phone call, email or text message can be just as effective.
Forming a partnership with someone with an interest in your success can be extremely empowering, both personally and professionally. Your business is also much more likely to grow if someone else is actively tracking your goals and aspirations and providing you with ongoing encouragement to achieve them.
Danielle Price, Founder, She Will Shine
