From the title of this message, I can imagine you thinking I’ve gotten squishy and sentimental on you. But that’s not the case. It’s about a topic no one likes to talk about—accountability.

If you’re like me, you hate it when someone holds you accountable. It’s like they have a certain (and legitimate) power over you. Actually, they kinda do because they are asking you to give an account for a commitment or agreement you made earlier. It’s irritating when others get into your stuff.

You said you were going to check when that prospect could meet with us. Did you?
You said you were going to get your billing done by the 10th. Did you?
You said you would meet the Friday deadline last week. Did you?

Notice a pattern? “You said…Did you?” You are being asked to account for your agreements and commitments. Did you? If not, others have every right to ask. If not, you find excuses. You become defensive. You become defiant. And none of those have a good ending.

It’s much better to hold yourself accountable. Use every tool, resource and support available to remember what you commit to and when you have to deliver – calendar reminders, task lists, sticky notes, a string on your finger—whatever it takes.
Professionals who rely on others to hold them accountable diminish their stature and minimize their effectiveness. Who wants to be connected to you when you refuse to take yourself seriously? Who wants to rely on you when you choose to do other things that interfere with your commitments you made to them?

This week, make a list of the commitments you agreed to and hold yourself accountable so you don’t have to be held accountable. That’s not squishy at all.