Accountability Group or Support Group

   Recently I posted that most of the groups I observed were support groups rather than networking accountability groups. A few folks have asked me to define the difference.  As I thought about that question I asked myself what are the goals of the two groups? Each benefits its members. But each type of group has a different focus, tone and outcome.


Focus

   The principle focus of the accountability group is for its members to achieve a new job or new career, and to utilize the dynamics of a group to change something in ourselves in order to achieve the next step in our career. The support group is there to help someone through a transition. The support group is a safe place to talk about pain and fears and is focused on healing. 


Tone
   While accountability groups should also be as safe a place to talk about ideas and feelings, it is primarily a business meeting with goals, metrics and recognition. The tone of the meeting should be “what business do we need to get done?” The support group really doesn’t have an agenda except that everyone who has a need to heal and feel supported is heard. The hope is that those who feel supported can then feel stronger in the things they need to do for their transition. The support group is more warm and fuzzy without specific measurables. 


Outcome
   The outcome of the accountability group is that everyone finds the next job. Job transition is primarily a sales job and most people looking for work are not trained sales people nor are they prepared to overcome the rejection that comes as part of the sales process. Having a group to help its members focus on the mechanics of the job search via the power of positive peer pressure is the way of accountability groups.  The support group is about healing and having the energy to make the person go. A successful group will answer the question, “Does everyone in the group feel better now?” And hopefully the answer is yes. 

   Finally, both groups’ objectives are to help the members grow and change. So they are not mutually exclusive and one could be a member of either or of both groups because in the end they fulfill different needs.  If anyone in the Western Suburbs of Chicago is looking for a transition support group might I suggest St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, IL. They have an intimate group that meets on Wednesday Mornings.  Contact me if your are interested in St. Barnabas’ group or starting either a networking accountability group or a transitions support group.

Accountability Groups? What?

   I was talking to a group of folks at a local chamber of commerce and one person asked, “I keep hearing about accountability groups, what are they?” It really is a great question. Many of us used them in college except we called them study groups. The objective of the group was to divvy up the work into manageable pieces so that each member of the group would be accountable for one part. Each member would do all the reading and research and then bring the results back to the group. There was an implied contract that each member would do their very best with their portion of the assignment or syllabus and the whole would be greater than the sum of its parts. 

   The purpose of an accountability group is that each member could achieve more than they would with a solo effort. If your are a business owner and part of your job includes sales as well as providing the service that is your business, what can you do to help yourself? One answer is to join a “Leads Group” where you bring leads to the group and others do the same, and by sharing qualified leads you all have more sales. Many sales people and business owners use this type of accountability group to achieve success.

   Years ago, when I was starting a small information technology business I banded together with two other entrepreneurs for support and accountability. In this situation we would provide our plans for the quarter, month and week ahead to the group. The others would comment and ask questions to help clarify the plan. Then each week we would report our status against the plan to the group and receive appropriate feedback and then act accordingly. So if I was having problems with sales I would state a sales goal and as a group come up with the steps to achieve the goal. We’d iron out the number of phone calls a day and face to face sales meeting per week. After some time the group would challenge me to raise the sales goal and increase the percentage of calls that resulted in sales. It is a great way to motivate yourself when you are a sole business owner.

 

   People who are in job transition and looking for a new job can use this model too. Putting together a group of 6 to 8 people from different industries or different roles within an industry provides a sense of camaraderie and support to its members. They can state their weekly goals and report the past week’s activity including successes and get  feedback. If a member has a blind spot in their job search, the group can provide constructive observations for the member. If a member has a struggle with their search the group offers a safe place to voice fears or challenges. 

  I have seen the use of accountability groups change lives. Whether you are looking for new sales or a new job, having a group to support, challenge, and provide advice to you will make a positive difference in you career... Now, go and be accountable.