Have you experienced true accountability?


When it comes to business success, accountability is often touted as a key ingredient. But most of what passes for accountability isn't true accountability at all.

True accountability isn't about being reliable, or simply checking off tasks.

It's a two-way street that involves reporting to someone who genuinely cares about your results and is invested in your success.

This person isn't just passively receiving updates; they're actively engaged in examining your progress, offering feedback, and helping you learn from both your successes and setbacks.

The Power of Non-Judgmental Feedback

One of the key elements that sets true accountability apart is its non-judgmental nature.

It's not about punishment for missed goals. Instead, it's about curiosity and learning. When you don't achieve a goal, a true accountability partner doesn't berate you. They ask questions: Why didn't this happen? Is it actually a problem? What can we learn from this?

This approach transforms accountability from a dreaded chore into a powerful tool for growth and improvement.

Real Results

I've seen the impact of true accountability firsthand.

One of my clients, who was only using our accountability process without any additional coaching, reported that she accomplished more in one quarter to move her business forward than she had in the previous two years.

The simple act of knowing someone would review her progress and offer feedback was enough to spur her into action and keep her focused on her goals.

The Transformative Impact

Entrepreneurs who embrace true accountability see faster progress, make better decisions, and feel more supported in their journey. They're able to identify and overcome obstacles more quickly, align their actions with their goals more effectively, and maintain focus even when things get tough.

Implementing true accountability in your business can make a huge difference. But to achieve it, you need to find the right partner, set clear expectations, focus on results, and be open to feedback. It's about engaging in conversations that push you to think critically about your business and celebrating your progress along the way.

Want to dive deeper into this topic and learn how to implement true accountability in your business? Tune in to the latest episode of The Business You Really Want, where Tonya and I offer more insights and practical tips you can apply right away. You can find it on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube.

Here's to your sustainable success,

Gwen

Small Biz Book Club Pick: The Lean Startup

The Small Biz Book Club’s October selection is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.

Chosen by members, The Lean Startup focuses on effectively leveraging human creativity for business success.

The book club is free and open to anyone who loves to read and discuss business books. We’d love to have you join our next session on Oct. 16. Click the button below for details.

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

  • Schedule a call to discuss how I can help you design your business with intention.
  • Join the Small Biz Book Club to discuss applying big ideas from business books to small business reality.
  • Book me as a speaker or podcast guest.

PO Box 1133, Merced, CA 95341
Unsubscribe

Everyday Effectiveness | Biz Ops Exposed

Gwen Bortner is a no-nonsense Operational Strategist and Business Advisor with an intuitive coaching mindset. She helps visionary female entrepreneurs achieve their most ambitious goals without the stress and overwhelm of trying to do it all on their own. Her approach comes from the belief that personal and professional success looks different for everyone, and most business owners waste time and energy trying to conform to outside expectations and definitions of success. From finance to IT, and small business operations to academia, Gwen has seen cookie-cutter strategies put organizations on the fast track to frustration, burnout, and eventually failure. Problem-solving is her zone of genius, and Gwen can quickly discern the root cause of issues, simplify systems and processes, then create the most direct path to any given solution.

Read more from Everyday Effectiveness | Biz Ops Exposed
A woman stands tall beside an open laptop wearing business attire with her hair in a high bun, looking out of a window that overlooks the city with the text "From Solo to CEO" Pivotal Shifts to Become the Leader Your Business Needs (Part 1) to the right s

— Making the leap from solopreneur to CEO requires a lot more than hiring a team or reaching a certain revenue goal. To truly act as a CEO, you have to fundamentally shift how you think about and run your business. As someone who has guided businesses and their owners through this transition for over 40 years, I've seen firsthand how challenging (and rewarding) this evolution can be. That's why I'm excited to announce a special 4-part series on The Business You Really Want podcast: From Solo...

Gwen and Tonya are shown together sitting at Gwen's dining room table. Microphones in front of them, Gwen has her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and Tonya's chin-length curly slat-and-pepper hair is as tame as it'll ever be. Both women wear glasses

— As entrepreneurs, we're often our own worst enemies when it comes to achieving success. But what if I told you that the problem isn't your work ethic or abilities, but rather how you're defining success itself? Tonya Kubo and I have devoted Episode 12 of The Business You Really Want to our listeners. We used our time together to address the current issues female entrepreneurs say they are facing right now based on reviews of the show and emails we've received from listeners. Whether you...

Gwen is shown standing with her hand on her hip in her teal blue cardigan and chunky necklace with the words "Weekly Course of Action".

— Have you ever been so sure of something only to gain a new perspective that challenges everything you thought you knew to be true? That happened to me earlier this year during a conversation with Tonya Kubo, our chief marketing and operations officer (you can call her the MOO 🐮). For years, I've run the Quarterly Tune-Up (QTU), a program designed to help business owners plan and achieve their goals. You’ve probably heard me talk about it. But when planning our October event, Tonya pointed...