Smart companies and employers understand that accountability partnerships are effective not just for achieving personal goals. Peer-based accountability partnerships at work are also very effective in helping employees reach business goals, and can have a significant impact not only on employee satisfaction but also on the bottom line. Different than mentorship, which is a more hierarchical relationship, a peer-to-peer relationship is often easier to establish, and a more effective tool for making progress towards a goal.

Accountability partnerships are most successful when they are a collaboration between two work colleagues who mutually like and respect each another. To be most effective, your partner should be someone you trust, who will keep you honest and moving on the path you have set for yourself.

Creating an accountability partnership is really quite simple. This is how to do it:

1. Select someone you trust to be your accountability partner (someone with a different personality style than your own is often the best choice).
2. Explain your goals to your partner.
3. Be specific in describing the actions and steps you plan to take to meet your goals. Also discuss any rewards and consequences for taking or not taking them that you intend to establish.
4. Schedule regular check-in times (these can simply be a quick phone call or even a text message; it’s not necessary to meet in person every time).
5. Revisit your goals and strategies periodically to make sure you are still on the right track.

Have you benefited from having an accountability partner to help you stay on track with personal or professional goals? If you don’t have one yet, think about who you could ask to do this for you. You might be surprised how motivating and powerful it can be to share your goals and plans with someone else.