Accountability is great, but where does it leave you? It leaves you beholden to someone checking in on you to ensure you are still on track. But since when is just staying on track ideal? The simple answer is, it isn't.
Being accountable is great. Having others hold you to delivering on promises is the best way to ensure you are driving toward your goals. It also gives you a set of people to help keep you on track when things go off the rails (and at times things certainly will). But stopping at accountability is doing yourself, your team and your business a disservice.
In the spirit of innovation I suggest "Challengability". It is accountability supercharged. Challengability is you surrounding yourself not only with those that will hold you accountable but with those that will challenge you to do more, to become better and to not settle for only low hanging fruit.
In the same way as accountability, this group of people should help you stay on track but also ensure you are pushing toward your full potential. This is the group of people that will give you straight answers and constructive criticism. This group will help you stay open-minded and adaptable (and they'll be there to help when it gets uncomfortable because long term comfort is the enemy of progress).
Who are the people that make up this group? It really depends on what you as an individual need and the access of those around you.
But here are some general guidelines:
•Superiors (if you are the CEO that means other seasoned trusted entrepreneurs)
•Peers (this can be internally and externally to your business but keep your sensitive info secret)
•Subordinates (to ensure you aren't misusing your authority or missing opportunities)
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Remember to challenge yourself daily and keep close company with those that will spur you on to greatness.
I focus on business strategy, diversification and divergent thinking. I enjoy helping others see the hidden opportunities in front of them.
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Lina Barfoot, Editor at SavvySME
Great article, I think surrounding yourself with people who push you (and themselves) is important in pretty much all situations, I can only imagine it would be absolutely vital when running a business.
Jef Lippiatt, Owner at Startup Chucktown
Thanks for the feedback. I have been noodling on this topic since I finished reading "Think And Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill specifically chapter 9 "The Master Mind". I think you do end up resembling those you spend the most time around. I think it is important to learn new things and constantly challenge yourself (however, not everyone has the drive to do it on their own). Some days I even struggle to motivate myself (it is rare) but that is why having others to encourage you and challenge you to push on are so important. I love motivating others and helping others see potential that they haven't connected with yet so this topic is something I spend a lot of time thinking about.