How To Start And Facilitate An Accountability Group

You are not alone out there in the job search universe.  There is a huge crowd of people who, just like you, would like to receive support, a kind word or a compliment. And so there are some great networking groups out there to enable new relationships, offer advice for job seekers and drop a welcome mat for new people.

There are other groups that offer something even better.

A swift kick in the back pockets.

Something you or your network may need starting next week.

These are called accountability groups.  And the goal is to help with a little tough love each week.

Now you may say “Hey, I’m doing pretty good”.  You’ve got a few things happening.  Some small victories are coming along the way.  And that’s great.

But how about creating some real momentum?  By accomplishing the big tasks on your list of goals for the week.  Are you getting those done?

Or is it easy for you to quietly slide that unfinished to-do list off the desk and into a folder to do next week?

Who’s going to know, right?

Or even worse, what if the big tasks are never even making it to your to-do list?  What if they seem too daunting for you?  Or too much of a stretch when you are feeling down on yourself?

If either of these fits you, you are a candidate for an accountability group.  And you might even be the right person to start one.

“Start one?  Me?  I’m not the leader type”

Well whether you start one or end up simply being the person who brings up the idea, you and your network will be better for it.  And if you do start one that works, you will become a person of influence in your community.  Someone that others look to along the way.  Someone they want to help.

Interested?

Here are the steps to starting and facilitating a successful accountability group:

1.  Identify 6-8 people in your network These can be in your functional area (e.g. sales), in your industry (e.g. technology) or you can leave it open to anyone that you feel will be a consistent and quality contributor.

2.  Set specific ground rules about how the group will work This should include how often to meet (every Friday) how long the meeting lasts (1 hour), what each person must bring each week (their goal sheet and group binder) and  some guidance on how the feedback gets delivered (critical, respectful, helpful, objective).

3.  Provide everyone with a weekly goal sheet template At each meeting there are two rounds of discussion.  Round 1 is a report to the group on your success against that’s week’s goals.  Round 2 is a preview of goals set for the next week.  Here is an example of a weekly goal sheet you can use.  Make sure goals are purposeful and not too task-oriented.  And feel free to modify to suit your group’s needs!

4.  Allow for critical discussion and push-back Since this is an accountability group, the whole reason others are there is push you toward getting things done.  The right things.  So if your goals are too easy, someone should tell you that.  And if they are not being accomplished on time or completely, you should have someone raising a hand there too.

5.  Every week, have each person re-state their specific job search objectives NOT their elevator pitch.  That’s too long and you should know that after the first meeting.

6.  Keep the group’s membership consistent and don’t add new people all the time Only when someone leaves the group, finds a job or (in a worst case scenario) needs to leave the group due poor or inconsistent participation.

7.  Create and maintain a small binder for everyone This is brought to every meeting.  The binder has a tab for each member which includes their professional resume, networking bio, and their business card (stapled to the tab). And, yes, if everyone has a laptop, iPad or if you can project it on a wall to show everyone’s info, you can do all of this via technology.  But I kind of like the old-school style of the binder. Up to you.

8.  Come up with a good, creative name for the group Maybe it’s the “Tough As Nails” group.  The “South County Back-Breakers” or “The Ladies Of Lancaster”.  A name that shows the pride you take in helping your network deliver on necessary goals during job search.

9.  Offer a weekly prize For the best contributor or most successful at accomplishing their goals for the week.  Everyone brings two dollars to throw in the pot.

10.  Pick a leader who will be there every time Someone who can (except on interview days) be a rock for the group.  And make sure that there is an “assistant rock” in case a leader lands a great new job.  Which, by the way, is the purpose of an accountability group, right?  To get each member a job.  Faster.

So what else would you recommend?

Here’s another idea:  start a job search reading group!

If you lead or participate in a weekly accountability group, what do you do to keep things fresh and lead your flock?

Written by: Tim Tyrell-Smith
Tags: accountability | business | critical | focusing | getting things done | goal setting | goal sheet | goals | human behavior | Job Search | jobs | jobs seeker | Leadership | management | time management | tough love
Categories: How To Find A New Job