Accountability Partner Vs Coach: Which One Should You Choose?

Want to be more accountable and accelerate your personal growth? Getting help is key.

But what’s a better choice, an accountability partner or a professional coach?

They might sound similar, but they’re actually very different. Understanding that is essential for taking responsibility for your actions.

In this article, I’ll share my experience to help you choose between an accountability partner or an accountability coach based on your needs.

Little spoiler: if you think having an accountability coach will pressure you, don’t worry. Luckily, you can get the same benefits working with a mentor using an accountability app!

What is the main difference between an accountability partner and a coach?

Accountability partners and coaches help you reach your goals, but they do it differently.

You can think of an accountability partner as a buddy who helps keep you on track and motivated by supporting you. 

They are often someone you know personally, and their role is primarily to hold you accountable. For instance, my accountability partner is one of my colleagues. 

Even if they provide mutual support and encouragement, they don’t usually have the expertise or any specific training. This doesn’t mean that having an accountability partner doesn’t work, but sometimes you may need professional help.

A coach is more like a mentor with expertise and experience. They have expertise in particular areas, such as business, fitness, or personal development.

And, of course, there are also accountability coaches. These professionals are specialized in helping people who need accountability or want to grow faster.

What does an accountability partner do?

As I’ve said before, an accountability partner is a person who helps you stay committed to your goals. To do that, we can say they use a more holistic way.

When I support my accountability partner, I offer words of encouragement and motivation and suggest practical ways to overcome roadblocks. They also offer alternative perspectives and celebrate achieved milestones.

They are like a friend who keeps you responsible. If you’re trying to make lifestyle changes, they offer support and motivation. You don’t feel alone in this journey because someone is there rooting for you.

The question is, can you get any results with an accountability partner? Well, according to recent statistics, you can increase your success rate of reaching goals to 95%!

But be careful; not everyone can be your accountability partner. They need to have specific requirements, as I explain in my accountability partner checklist article.

What does an accountability coach do?

An accountability coach is a trained professional helping people achieve their goals.

This means identifying incremental goals, creating actionable plans, and developing strategies.

An accountability coach knows how to set goals and crush them the right way.

As an accountability partner, a coach establishes regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and hold clients accountable for their commitments.

Basically, they create a plan tailored just for you. Unlike an accountability partner, a coach has expert skills. 

Accountability partner or an accountability coach: Which one should you choose?

With that being said, should you choose an accountability partner or a coach?

The choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. 

If you’re looking for a friend to help you stay on track with your goals, an accountability partner is a great option. In my case, it’s been great for my personal growth, and I will do it again.

But as time went by, I realized I needed more help.

A coach could have helped me set better goals, create new healthy habits, and understand my mistakes.

That’s why I started using Goalswon, an accountability app that paired me with a professional accountability coach. 

The difference was huge. I was assigned to a coach who helped me reset my goals and think about what I really wanted from life.

Things were tough sometimes, but my coach was always there to help and encourage me. An accountability partner might not be able to do as much, which is why a coach is really helpful.

So, if you need more guidance and you’re serious about working on your personal accountability, a coach is just what you need.

Curious about my journey with Goalswon? Read my in-depth review of this professional accountability service or try it for free!

Key Differences Between an Accountability Partner and a Coach

Let’s dive deeper into the differences between a partner and a coach.

Both are crucial if you lack accountability and are seeking help, but you need to make the right decision.

Level of expertise and guidance provided

Coaches have a lot of training and credentials. They often study coaching programs to help them learn new skills.

This makes their advice very valuable, especially if you’re dealing with procrastination. Coaches guide you with clear steps and help you set realistic goals.

An accountability partner, on the other hand, might not have formal training.

I mean, I don’t have any specific education in accountability, but I support my partner as best as I can.

 They still offer good support but in a more friendly way. Think of them as someone who keeps you motivated by checking in regularly.

A coach helps turn dreams into plans, while an accountability partner cheers you on.

Formality of the relationship

Since an accountability partner is usually a friend or colleague, it’s informal and relaxed. You both agree to check on each other’s progress. There are no set rules or training needed.

This could be a problem, though. Sometimes, if you know someone too well, you might not take them seriously, especially if they’re a friend.

An accountability coach is different. They are trained professionals. The relationship is formal, with clear goals and steps to achieve them. Coaches use proven strategies to help you succeed.

You might initially feel uncomfortable, but if you choose the right coach, you won’t. I never felt judged by my coach when I used Goalswon. This is important. If you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to switch coaches!

Frequency and structure of interactions

The frequency of interactions with an accountability partner can be quite high or low. Again, it depends on the type of agreement you have with your partner.

You might check in daily or every week. Be careful, because you need to be consistent. Otherwise, it will be pretty useless.

And remember, consistency is an excellent example of accountability!

Coaches, however, usually have more formal sessions. These are often weekly or bi-weekly meetings.

Accountability apps like Goalswon allow you to interact with your coach multiple times a day. This is super powerful to stay in track and motivated.

During these sessions, they focus on your goals and offer structured guidance, using accountability KPIs and milestones.

Goal-setting and tracking methods

I used to set unrealistic goals, and this is the best way to fail! A coach helps you set relevant and achievable goals so you feel comfortable working towards them.

They give a detailed plan to meet these goals, using specific tracking tools or techniques to monitor progress.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

Conclusion

So, which is best for you?

An accountability partner gives you a friend to check in with. A coach offers expert help and structure.

Both can keep you on track. Think about your needs and goals.

Make the choice that helps you grow and unleash your full potential!