The Lie: I Need Accountability!
by Carla Thompson

 

When real estate agents reach out to us for coaching, they frequently say, “I need someone to hold me accountable.”

 

Now why would this be a lie?

Because it’s not what we really need! If adults try to hold other adults accountable to doing something, our brains resist. We resist hard. Our inner voice screams, “Nobody is going to tell me what to do!” Our mature egos desire autonomy to make choices for ourselves and live our lives according to our needs.

In addition, when one adult tries to make another adult accountable, we create a scenario of “power over” meaning that one person has power over another. What is the real side effect of such a relationship? Learned helplessness. If we give our power to another adult to try to regulate us, we are actually trying to escape responsibility for getting results in our lives. We learn to respond to outside stimuli instead of creating inner motivation. We become less productive over the long run.

 

If coaching platforms are promising you accountability, beware! You don’t need to create a dependency to get new results in your business.

 

So, what are agents really asking for when they request accountability?

The secret: they are asking for help to stay FOCUSED.

Real estate is a career that changes by the moment. Heck, that’s what makes it so exciting and fun! New listings, new buyers, sudden offers, intense negotiations—a whole day can disappear in a blink. What most top performers struggle with is the balance between consistent lead generation and the constant demands of the business.

In coaching, we help agents focus each week on cultivating the next step for growth. We help them focus on what actions they will take. And when the craziness of the real estate world takes over, we help them re-focus.

There’s a huge difference between “holding someone accountable” and helping someone stay focused.

Everyone benefits from coaching to stay focused each week on the actions that will actually contribute to growth! Focus is the key!