9 Accountability Practices to Keep Executive Coaching Clients On Track
In a world where executive success hinges on accountability, understanding its role in coaching is paramount. From the perspectives of a CHRO and an Executive Coach, this article uncovers strategies to keep clients committed to their goals. The journey begins with insights on how to 'Clarify Your Service Model' and concludes with how to 'Foster an Internal Locus of Control.' Discover all nine expert insights to elevate your executive coaching process.
- Clarify Your Service Model
- Craft and Ensure the Game Plan
- Review and Modify Goals Regularly
- Establish Clear, Measurable Milestones
- Collaborative Goal-Setting Session
- Review Actions and Shift Thoughts
- Empower Clients to Make Commitments
- Engage Clients Through Continuous Interaction
- Foster an Internal Locus of Control
Clarify Your Service Model
You have to clarify your service model. I've pivoted from being an executive coach to an executive advisor, a subtlety that allows me to deliver the optimal blend of coaching, consulting, and education, depending on the situation.
At first, I thought the multi-pronged approach would be difficult to explain. It actually helps to define ownership, clarify accountabilities, and heighten commitment to achieving goals. It also empowers the client to adjust the service model based on need.
Sure, teaching and coaching help the client internalize capabilities and secure results, but it takes longer. Consulting delivers the win faster, but knowledge transfer is not guaranteed. In either case, the client is accountable for reaching the goal, but the path taken is up to them.
Craft and Ensure the Game Plan
A coach does two things: crafts the game plan and ensures it's played. We start with questions, helping clients develop a clear plan—defined simply as a noun, a verb, and a date. We map out a strategy: what to do, how to do it, and when it's due. Each session wraps with concrete, achievable goals—an action promise for our next meeting. Unlike parents, bosses, or teachers, coaches don't have punitive tools; it's all about mutual accountability. If commitments consistently aren't met, I'll cut ties. After all, you should judge my effectiveness by the results we achieve together.
Review and Modify Goals Regularly
Most of my sessions focus on challenges my clients are currently facing. We do review overall goals set at the beginning of the coaching engagement every third month. We check to see if milestones have been met and if the goals need to be modified to match changes in organizational and role priorities. I rarely have a problem of accountability unless the client was told he or she needed to be coached, and they are only reluctantly participating. Hopefully, we can still find goals that will help them achieve something that is meaningful and worth our time together.
Establish Clear, Measurable Milestones
Accountability is at the core of effective executive coaching. It's not just about setting goals—it's about ensuring clients remain committed and consistently take actionable steps toward them. In my process, I establish clear, measurable milestones and check in regularly to track progress.
One technique I use is creating a system of weekly goal-setting and reflection. Clients reflect on their progress, identify any roadblocks, and adjust their approach accordingly. This creates a sense of responsibility, not just to themselves but also to their long-term vision. It encourages follow-through, making success more tangible.
The outcome? Clients become more proactive, and their commitment strengthens because they see their progress and understand that their actions directly impact their success. My advice to others in coaching is simple: accountability ensures momentum and reinforces discipline, which are essential for reaching any goal.
Collaborative Goal-Setting Session
Accountability is a cornerstone of my executive-coaching process, refined over decades of working with senior leaders. Each coaching relationship begins with a collaborative goal-setting session to ensure alignment on the client's top priorities. From there, I craft a customized path to guide them toward success. I often describe the process as them driving the car while I navigate—we agree on the destination, and they control the pace, but I'm by their side throughout the journey. If they veer off course or consider an unproductive path, I provide real-time course corrections to keep them on track. This partnership approach ensures my clients stay committed to their goals while feeling fully supported as they progress toward achieving them.
Attribution information: Adriana L. Cowdin, Be Bold Executive Coaching, www.beboldexecutivecoaching.com
Review Actions and Shift Thoughts
In order for coaching to work, clients must take action, and being held accountable for taking action is critical. However, as a coach, I can only get curious about why a client didn't take action.
A regular part of any coaching engagement is reviewing actions to understand if they resulted in the desired outcome. When clients are not taking the action that they committed to, it gives us an opportunity to identify and shift the thought that kept them from taking action.
Every action, or lack of action, is approached with curiosity about what stood in the way, with the intention of making the path forward clear.
Empower Clients to Make Commitments
Accountability in Leadership: The Role of an Executive Coach
As executive coaches, our mission is to empower clients by offering support, fresh insights, and new perspectives that inspire action. One of the most impactful ways we do this is by guiding clients to make their own commitments, rather than merely suggesting actions.
When leaders take ownership of their commitments, there is strong buy-in, and they become more invested in the outcomes. It's essential that these commitments are specific and time-bound, ensuring clarity on what needs to be accomplished and by when.
Celebrating Success: When clients follow through, we take the time to celebrate their achievements and reflect on the journey that led them there. This reinforces positive behavior and builds momentum.
Learning from Setbacks: If a client doesn't meet their commitment, we approach the situation with curiosity. We explore what barriers arose and collaboratively decide on the next steps. This reflective process not only fosters growth but also strengthens resilience.
Ultimately, accountability is a powerful tool for leaders. By fostering a culture of commitment and reflection, we can drive meaningful change and enhance performance.
Engage Clients Through Continuous Interaction
Accountability in the Inborn-Voice Method is woven into the continuous and flexible interactions that keep clients engaged and progressing toward their goals. Using signature tools such as asynchronous coaching, I provide timely feedback and encouragement in response to their updates and reflections. This continuous communication creates a sense of accountability as clients know they can share their progress and challenges whenever they feel like it.
In addition, the process encourages self-discipline, as clients actively document their thoughts and track their progress between interactions. My method focuses on resonance and authenticity to ensure that each step is in line with their unique growth path. This flexible and continuous communication keeps accountability dynamic and ensures lasting transformation, even outside of traditional coaching sessions.
Foster an Internal Locus of Control
Accountability in executive coaching is centered on fostering an internal locus of control, empowering clients to understand their role in shaping outcomes through their actions and decisions. Instead of depending on external pressures or validation, I guide clients to align their goals with personal values and intrinsic motivations, ensuring a strong, lasting foundation for commitment. Together, we create clear, actionable steps, regularly reviewing progress to celebrate successes and extract lessons from setbacks. This reflective process not only reinforces ownership but also deepens self-awareness and resilience. By nurturing a sense of personal agency, clients remain focused, motivated, and confident in achieving their aspirations on their own terms.
