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This scenario occurs commonly in coaching as well as many other contexts: Someone maps out a plan of action, chooses a day or even a specific time, commits to making it happen...and then finds themselves unable to follow through. One or more causes may factor in — overwhelm from an intimidating task, distraction from a flood of social media messages and news, self-doubt that leads to paralysis. Whatever the causal path, the result is that the action is not taken, and usually, forward motion stalls.
Follow through is a powerful energizer. Follow through provides evidence that a person is able to take action, evidence that can argue against any pervasive negative belief that a person "can't" or "won't" act. In this way, repeated instances of successful follow through can generate the self-efficacy that makes momentum more sustainable.
A coach can be a key player in helping a student become more accountable for their actions and momentum. If a coach meets with a student regularly, this consistent reporting-in can add accountability. Whether meetings are consistent or not, however, a coach can drive student ownership of action by asking questions that encourage a student to:
- Set up goals to which to be accountable
- Identify specific things at stake, actions to take, and consequences to avoid
- Identify accountability partners with whom they can connect regularly, separate from the coach
- Hack their space -- in other words, design and create an environment that reminds them of self-defined actions and stakes, puts encouraging words or images in front of their eyes, and serves as an accountability boost they don’t have to constantly regenerate
- Amass evidence of past follow through and the positive results it created
An important note: Be wary of reminding and prodding in a way that takes the onus of action off the student and enables them to rely too heavily on the coach. For example, instead of emailing a student to ask if they completed a task, invite the student to email YOU when they turn it in. Be a pitchback – keep that ball heading back to the student, so that through practice, they can learn to knock it out of the park.
Accountability is one of the most powerful drivers of student success—but helping students take full ownership of their progress requires specific coaching strategies. LifeBound’s 3-Day Virtual Coaching Course and Self-Paced Coaching Success Course equip educators, faculty, and staff with the tools to cultivate accountability, goal-setting techniques, self-efficacy, and long-term follow-through in students.
LifeBound is the only coaching program that blends academic coaching expertise with business leadership, bridging the gap between academics and the self-management and resilience skills students need to secure meaningful employment and advance in their careers. If you’re looking to enhance institutional effectiveness, address underemployment, and ensure graduates are truly workforce-ready, explore LifeBound’s training programs to expand your impact.
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