Responsibility: Commitment and Ownership in the Process

Responsibility as a Central Element

A fundamental element that defines and distinguishes coaching from other forms of intervention is the emphasis on personal accountability.

From the beginning of the process, it must be clearly understood that the coachee is solely responsible for his or her own coaching process and the results obtained, not the coach.

We can understand responsibility as the commitment that a person acquires over his or her own actions and their consequences.

It implies recognizing oneself as the owner of one's own actions and, therefore, responsible for the results they generate.

This assumption of responsibility is crucial, since it allows the individual to be the protagonist of his or her own life.

Protagonism and Readiness for Coaching

People who recognize and accept their own responsibility for their lives are those who usually get what they want.

They are also the ones who are truly prepared to undertake a coaching process effectively.

Coaching is based on the premise that the client has the ability and power to direct his or her own path.

If as a coaching professional you encounter a person who does not take responsibility for his or her own life, who tends to blame external factors or expect others to solve his or her problems, working on this aspect should be an unavoidable step.

Before even considering working on any other objective, it is necessary to address this lack of accountability, because without it, the process lacks a solid foundation.

Commitment as a Link to the Future

Closely linked to responsibility is the notion of commitment. If responsibility focuses on the authorship of present and past actions, commitment is the degree to which a person is willing to act toward the future to achieve desired outcomes.

Commitment is a creative act that connects the individual with the future he or she wishes to build; it is the willingness to take the necessary actions to achieve defined goals and objectives.

It involves aligning skills and efforts with the path outlined to achieve the expected results.

Vital Interdependence: Responsibility and Commitment

Both accountability and commitment are fundamental and interdependent in the coaching process.

Without accountability, the person tends to make excuses or blame others when things do not go as expected.

Without commitment, the person simply does not take the actions necessary to bring about change, no matter how much he or she desires it.

If a person desires change but does not act to make it happen, he or she is responsible for that lack of change.

To illustrate the depth of commitment needed, we can think of the difference between participating and being fully engaged; it is not enough to be superficially involved, full involvement is required to ensure results.

This is why it is essential to assess in the early stages of coaching the client's level of responsibility and commitment.

Summary

Personal responsibility is a fundamental element that distinguishes coaching. It implies that the coachee is solely responsible for his or her process and the results obtained.

Accountability is defined as the commitment a person makes to his or her own actions and their consequences. People who accept this responsibility are those who are truly prepared for coaching.

Closely linked is the notion of commitment, the degree to which a person is willing to act toward the future to achieve results. It is a creative act that aligns efforts with the path laid out.