Norton: The power of setting standards and following through
Accountability is a topic often discussed but seldom fully appreciated. The alignment between expectations and accountability forms the backbone of effective relationships and progress in personal and professional settings. It’s not enough to set expectations without inspection.
In the words of management experts, “You must inspect what you expect.” But what does that mean in practice? Let’s dive into the mechanics of accountability and why, without thorough follow-through, expectations are mere words.
In any setting where goals are shared, whether it’s a workplace, a sports team, or even a personal goal like fitness, the expectation of results needs more than verbal agreement. It requires active commitment from everyone involved, which is only as strong as the system of accountability supporting it.
Consider fitness goals as an example. Many people team up with workout partners to make exercise more enjoyable, build camaraderie, and stay motivated. However, there’s a distinct difference between a workout partner and an accountability partner.
A workout partner meets you at the gym, perhaps someone who will do the same sets and reps as you, share in the work, and celebrate with you afterward. They can be great for mutual encouragement and motivation. But there’s a drawback: Workout partners might go easy on you, particularly friends who want you to like them. They might say, “It’s OK to skip that last set,” or “Let’s take it easy today.”
Support Local Journalism
Now, an accountability partner is an entirely different type of support. This person knows your goals as well as you do and is there to accompany you and ensure you meet or exceed your expectations. They won’t accept excuses and won’t flinch at difficult conversations. They arrive early, have the plan in mind, and won’t let you walk out the door until every last rep is completed. Accountability partners are invaluable because they don’t settle for mediocrity. They push you beyond your limits and help you reach goals you might not achieve alone.
In my experience, the best accountability partners are those I trust deeply. Over the years, I’ve had workout partners who fell short of keeping me accountable. They wanted to be liked more than they wanted to push me. When I was tired or unmotivated, they didn’t challenge me, allowing me to slack off instead. While these partners were fun to be around, they didn’t fulfill my need for accountability.
After one too many half-hearted sessions, I had to confront one of my workout partners. It was a tough conversation, but it turned out to be necessary. He admitted that he wasn’t comfortable challenging others or holding them accountable.
Realizing this, I moved on to someone who could be firm with me and wouldn’t hesitate to call me out when I wasn’t giving my best. A real accountability partner understands that sometimes you need tough love, someone who isn’t afraid to be honest and push you, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Whether in the gym or business, holding people accountable is about investing in the results you want to achieve. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always comfortable. But when we commit to inspecting what we expect, we create a culture of follow-through and achievement. An accountability structure means putting systems in place to monitor progress, adjusting as needed, and offering support that is both encouraging and uncompromising.
In personal fitness, as in business, accountability partners ensure that what you set out to do is achieved. They transform the workout from a casual commitment into a structured journey toward real, measurable progress. When we set expectations but don’t check in on them, we effectively say they don’t matter. Accountability takes what we expect and turns it into action, creating a disciplined pathway that leads to results.
The lesson here is clear: If you’re serious about reaching your goals, align yourself with accountability partners who won’t just go through the motions. Choose people who know how to inspect, push and remind you of your potential. In the end, accountability is less about pleasing and more about pushing you to be your best. And that’s where the real transformation happens.
I would love to hear your accountability story at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we can get comfortable being pushed harder to achieve our goals and dreams, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
