Accountability Partner / Arnel Sugay

In training workshops, I get to meet a lot of people. Usually, most participants start to warm up as the day progresses. When this happens, they freely disclose their challenges, if not frustrations, with me.

Some of the things shared with me pertains to leadership, health and fitness, and professional and personal goals. They bemoan the fact that they are multitasking and it is hard to focus and accomplish some of their aspirations.

I usually suggest that they get an Accountability Partner. When pressed for more information, I explain that an Accountability Partner is someone you trust and has your best interest. Your Accountability Partner is your cheerleader, supporter and adviser. Your Accountability Partner will help you achieve your goal. When the goal becomes blurry, your Accountability Partner will provide you with guidance and clarity.

An Accountability Partner serves as a coach. There should be transparency and high level of trust in the relationship. You and your Accountability Partner agrees to regularly meet, in person or virtual, to swap information relevant to your goal. You will talk about what you are doing that allows you to either move closer or away from your goal.

Before meeting with your Accountability Partner, you should already have a goal to present. This is not a goal in mind but a goal that has been well-thought of and it is written down. A very good guide to use in goal setting is to use the SMART principle. (S-Specific, M-Measureable, A-Attainable, R- Realistic and T- Time bounded).

A very good example of a SMART goal is “pay off my personal loan of $1,000 by the end of this year.”

“Increase newsletter subscription rate to 15% by December 2022.”

What traits should you look for in an Accountability Partner? Choose the following traits:

1. Honest. Someone who will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear.

2. Mature. Find someone who will be happy for your small victories and will encourage you by giving you positive feedback or reinforcement.

3. Reliable. Look for someone who is committed in meeting with you on a regular basis for the feedback, support and guidance.

4. Understanding. Go for a good listener with the intent to understand you. You don’t need someone to critic you for taking a misstep.

Do you have an accountability partner? Share your experience with me at arnel.sugay@gmail.com

Arnel Sugay

Jeepney Press