Close Your Accountability Loop With Integrity

It’s Not Just About Getting It Done

So you have promised to do something, and you did it. Congratulations! You were productive, but you still aren’t being accountable. You can’t just get it done. You’ve got to tell the other person that you’re getting it done and you have to do so in a strategic manner. Let’s say that I met a new business colleague at a conference and I promised to send her a copy of my most recent book.

“Linda, I’ll get you a copy of that book emailed over to you by the close of business tomorrow.” And then when I send out that book, I am going to include a note that reads “Hi, Linda: As promised, here is the copy of the book that we talked about at the conference yesterday.” And I’ll use that specific language: “As promised.” And there are a few reasons why that is so important. First, she may have spoken to a dozen people that morning and there is always the possibility that she doesn’t remember your interaction. So, including more information is always helpful. Second, you are closing the accountability loop. You told her you would send out the book, and here it is as promised. And thirdly, you are helping establish your trustworthiness and integrity. In the future, should you do business together, you have already established the fact that you fulfill your promises and can be accountable for things that you say you will do.