Imagine a world where “Yesterday” and “Let It Be” were just half-finished ideas, scribbled in notebooks and left to gather dust.
No global hits, no timeless lyrics, and no soundtrack to generations of lives.
Without their partnership, John Lennon and Paul McCartney might never have pushed those ideas into the songs we all know and love today.
Now, the Beatles were much more than just these two—George Harrison and Ringo Starr brought incredible talent and perspective to the band. But when it came to songwriting, the Lennon-McCartney dynamic stood out.
They challenged, inspired, and sometimes outright frustrated each other, but that accountability made the difference between good songs and unforgettable anthems.
That’s the power of having someone to hold you accountable – someone who challenges you to do better, go further, and bring your ideas to life.
How can you channel that same energy into your business relationships to achieve your own kind of greatness?
How to Be a Great Accountability Buddy
Having an accountability buddy can be a game-changer for business owners, but let’s face it—not everyone knows how to be a good one.
It’s not just about checking in and saying, “How’s it going?”
It’s about being genuinely invested in helping the other person move forward.
Here are 7 ways to do it right:
1. Get Clear on What They Want
You can’t hold someone accountable if you don’t know what they’re trying to do.
Take some time to chat about their goals—what they are, why they matter, and what success actually looks like.
Are they trying to grow their business? Get more organised? Finally take a proper holiday without their phone?
Whatever it is, know the goal inside out.
Quick Tip: Ask them why this goal is important.
That way, you can remind them of their “why” when they hit a rough patch.
2. Set Up Regular Check-Ins
Accountability only works if you stay consistent.
Agree on when and how you’ll catch up—weekly coffee chats, a fortnightly Zoom call, or even a quick message exchange every Friday.
Use these check-ins to look at what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next.
Quick Tip: Keep it short and sweet – no one needs another long, rambling meeting in their life.
3. Call Them Out (Nicely)
Sometimes, we all need someone to say, “Come on, mate, what’s really going on here?”
If they’re making excuses, avoiding the hard stuff, or just losing focus, it’s your job to gently bring them back on track.
What to Say: “Hey, you told me this was a big deal for you. What’s getting in the way?”
Remember, it’s not about guilt-tripping—it’s about being that voice of reason when they’re stuck.
4. Cheer Them On, but Push Them Too
The best accountability buddies know how to balance being a cheerleader with being a challenger.
Celebrate their wins—big and small—but don’t be afraid to say, “That’s amazing, but could you take it even further?”
What to Say:
“You smashed that! So what’s next?”
OR
“Love that idea! How about adding XYZ to really level it up?”
5. Hold Yourself to the Same Standard
Accountability works both ways. If you’re holding someone else accountable, you’ve got to step up too.
Share your own goals, progress, and challenges—it’s only fair.
Plus, it keeps things balanced and stops it from feeling one-sided.
What to Do: At your check-ins, spend time on their goals, then share updates on yours.
It builds trust and makes the whole thing feel more like a team effort.
6. Use Tools to Stay on Top of Things
Let’s be honest—life gets busy, and things slip through the cracks.
Using tools like Google Docs, shared spreadsheets, or even just a WhatsApp chat can make it easier to track progress and send friendly reminders.
Quick Tip: Pop reminders in your calendar to follow up on deadlines. A casual “How’s it going with that big thing?” can work wonders.
7. Celebrate the Small Stuff
Big goals take time, and it’s easy to lose steam along the way.
That’s why it’s so important to celebrate the small wins.
Every step forward is progress, and reminding them of that can keep the momentum going.
What to Say: “Look at you—two steps closer to your goal! Amazing work!”
Our Summary – 7 Tips to Become a Good Accountability Buddy
Being a great accountability buddy isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, keeping it real, and genuinely wanting the best for the other person.
When you cheer them on, challenge them, and help them stay on track, you’re doing something pretty special.
And hey, you might just find your own Lennon-McCartney-style partnership along the way.
In summary, the 7 tips to becoming a good accountability buddy are:
- Get clear on what they want.
- Set up regular check-ins.
- Call them out (nicely).
- Cheer them on, but push them too.
- Hold yourself to the same standard.
- Use tools to stay on top of things.
- Celebrate the small stuff.
Liked this post? Check out this one on The Importance of Accountability in Business.
