| For me personally, the accountability part of the | | | | During the process, the coach is there to support |
| coaching process is extremely important. For | | | | his/her clients but also to make sure that clients |
| many people, this is the only reason they actually | | | | grow as individuals and push their own boundaries. |
| hire a coach. They need that "someone" who will | | | | The process is not always easy and |
| hold them accountable for the actions they | | | | straightforward for many coaches. They struggle |
| promised to carry out. I have had clients who | | | | to use the accountability method. They let their |
| would rather cancel a session than admit they | | | | clients move through the process without holding |
| didn't follow up on their own action plan! On the | | | | them accountable, because they feel that their |
| other hand, I have had plenty of clients who, due | | | | aura of being a "genuinely nice person" might be |
| to the accountability part of the coaching process | | | | damaged. |
| achieved their results faster and remarkably well. | | | | The opposite is true: by not holding your clients |
| Accountability is a strong word and for many it | | | | accountable, you are doing them a disservice and |
| can have the ramifications of forced school | | | | you are not doing the coaching process/industry |
| projects or unwanted after-school activities. | | | | justice. Accountability can often be the very single |
| However, in the coaching context, accountability is | | | | most important method that will decide whether |
| holding clients responsible for their own agenda, | | | | the whole coaching process was successful or |
| supporting their own decisions and following up on | | | | not. Of course, that can't be said about each and |
| their own desires. | | | | every client but in my experience, it really makes |
| Accountability in coaching serves more like | | | | a huge difference. |
| genuine and constructive feedback: what worked | | | | If you are a coach, please take this as a gentle |
| well and what did not, how to do things differently | | | | reminder to do a little check-up on whether you |
| and better next time and overall, what were the | | | | are using the tool of accountability as effectively |
| clients' feelings while performing all those tasks. | | | | as you could and should be. |