Growing up, my grandfather was known for teaching us that “Your word is your bond. It’s like you’re signing a verbal contract with others,” he’d explain.
When you follow through, people know that they can trust you.
Sadly, today this age-old axiom is often lost on our society where we have so many options and schedule changes. We often don’t commit until the last minute or end up not following through because something else came up. And I’ve found that this is especially true in my parenting circles where life changes at lightning speed and the excuses come just as fast…
“He took a late nap…”
“It’s a school night…”
“She’s teething…”
“The traffic is terrible…”
“It’s cold season…”
“Can we reschedule?”
It often feels impossible to juggle all the demands of life, especially when unforeseen situations occur and we have to choose how to respond. While all of these reasons may be valid and true based on the circumstances, what happens when they take the place of a commitment you’ve made to a friend, employer, or even yourself?
Yes, life requires flexibility and a healthy dose of empathy and understanding that all doesn’t (ever really) go to plan.
Being true to our word isn’t conditional.
It’s a core condition of living with integrity.
Accountability requires commitment, even (and especially) when it’s hard. When you show up and do what you’ll say, people know they can trust you. We have to find a balance between living flexibly with accountability that works in our relationships and lives.
What Are You Known For?
Using the prompts below, take a few minutes to consider what you are known for in each of the following audiences and environments:
With this in mind, I invite you to respond to the following phrase based on how you’re currently treating yourself when it comes to being accountable for what you want and need to do.
My Word Is My…
How will you fill in the blank?
What do you REALLY want in this season of your life? Write your goals and desires down now and then thoughtfully consider the following reflective questions as you turn them into action.
What do you need now to feel supported so you can commit to yourself more? Maybe it’s something you need to start – or STOP – doing to hold yourself more accountable.
Who is one person you can reach out to for this support? Write their name down and make a commitment to reach out to them in the next 48 hours to share more about your needs.
When are you willing to start? Imagine how you will feel in three months if you started now. And if not now, why not now?
Make a plan. Stick to it. Notice the difference. Write down a start date and set incremental objectives weekly to make progress. Reach out to the person you named above to let them know how you’re doing or choose another accountability partner to celebrate your success and process your setbacks with.
And if you need even more support, we’ve got you covered! Contact us to learn more about ways we can support your success and help you activate your dreams. Your future self (and your present one) will thank you!
Originally published at leadwithintention.com on October 1, 2025
Leslie M. Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC, is an Executive Coach + Lifestyle Strategist for innovators and creative professionals leading dynamic and diverse teams. After working for a decade in higher education and student development, Leslie launched Lead With Intention® – a boutique coaching and consulting practice that specializes in leadership coaching, customized training, and organizational strategy for clients and their teams around the world. She collaborates with a range of creative professionals from entrepreneurs launching their startups to executive leaders at Fortune 500 Companies. With a background in strengths-based leadership development and applied positive psychology, she enjoys helping individuals and team realize and become their best. Leslie teaches on Business and Leadership at the University of California, Davis Continuing and Professional Education. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and leadership trainer, and a TEDx speaker with over 1.3 million views. Committed to enhancing her local community, Leslie and her husband, Joel, co-created and launched The Makers Place™ – the regions first coworking space with onsite childcare. She also currently works as the Director and Site Supervisor of Mini Makers™ Preschool. Leslie lives in Northern California and travels internationally for coaching, organizational trainings, and retreat facilitation. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube or send her an email at [email protected] to learn how to partner together.