Week 3 Tip: Assigning Accountability Buddies
January 18th, 2010
Accountability has always been tough but is getting tougher. As The Traffic of Dynamic Complexity has increased in our daily lives, we can feel overwhelmed and gridlocked. As a result, things don’t get done that needed to get done, which anybody could have done (Anybody, Anybody?).
In recent times we have had wave after wave of dynamic complexity washing over us, with ever shortening wavelength in between. It’s easy to feel under water and having to constantly learn some new strokes just to keep our heads above water. Then we attend a strategic review session, in which we volunteer (or, more likely, get "voluntold") to take a deep dive on some kind of formative strategic initiative – a deep dive into dark, murky, uncharted waters. Now we really feel like we are in the deep end!
We need a need a dive buddy. In scuba diving, the buddy system is the "situation which occurs when two divers of similar interest and equal experience and ability share a dive, continuously monitoring each other throughout the entry, the dive and the exit, and remaining within such distance that they could render immediate assistance to each other if required". When working with teams on strategy, execution and traction, I recommend we assign accountability buddies, over and above other reporting relationships, task-teams and working-groups. This peer based approach provides an additional element in your support and accountability system. Accountability buddies can help each other:
- Overcome the unconscious resistance we often experience in the face of formative strategic thinking which easily turns into procrastination. An accountability buddy can help us get started.
- While no one else can truly hold us accountable, we can only do that ourselves, an accountability buddy can help - this taps into the power of peer pressure and accountability - especilally as it is on a peer-to-peer reciprocal basis.
- An accountability buddy can help us triage our time and listen out for excuses, with no hidden agenda or bias.
When life can easily become a constant white-water ride (Constant White-Water?), it can be incredibly valuable to have an accountability buddy, providing mutual help, support and accountability. It can help prevent things not getting done that needed to get done, which anybody could have done (Anybody, Anybody? )
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