Top 10 Commandments of Mentoring, #4
#4 Agree on Accountability
Something that does not usually happen but should be planned is to agree on accountability. To get the most out of being mentored this should be planned. Without it you will not see the impact of change that is possible. The heart of empowerment is not just in what a mentor shares but in the application which accountability is a catalyst for. We all know that change is difficult and rarely takes place without this.
Accountability can take place in many ways: during meetings, scheduled phone calls, probing questions during meetings, or a time planned for evaluation.
What a mentor likes to see is a mentoree who takes responsibility to see that the accountability takes place. The mentoree’s self-initiative in accountability speeds and enhances empowerment.
When I served on staff at churches and Christian organizations it felt natural for me to request accountability and ask for evaluations. I don’t recall serving in any ministry where I have not done this. It has probably served as a catalyst to enhance my growth more than anything else. Everyone has blind spots and we don’t arrive at knowing it all. Our character will never be complete until we are with Christ.
Are you on staff at a church? Are you a volunteer in a ministry? Are you being mentored? If so I hope that you are receiving regular evaluations. If you are involved in ministry at this time I hope that you have someone in your life who cares enough to give honest feedback.