How to Hold Yourself Accountable as a Founder

“The hardest person to hold accountable is the one in the mirror.”

One of the challenges of being a founder is that you are accountable to no-one, other yourself, unless you choose to be.

  • It’s easy to hide.

  • It’s easy to forget about commitments you made previously to yourself

  • It’s easy to let yourself off the hook

The problem is none of those options serve the future you, you aspire to become.


A lack of accountability maintains the status quo and the status quo is the enemy of becoming a liberated founder.


Here is the alternative option

Reframe what accountability means

  • See accountability as something you need in order to get better.

  • See increased accountability as a way of moving forward quicker.

  • See greater accountability as an opportunity to realise your own potential

  • Accountability makes us all a better version of ourselves; including founders.

Rethink whats happening in your business

  1. Where am I currently hiding from  reality?

  2. In which areas of the business do we need to get better quicker?

  3. Who do I know that could bring a different perspective &/or better questions?


Refocus: Why Founders Need Accountability (and How a Coach Can Help)

It’s time to refocus on accountability, especially if you’re a founder navigating growth without anyone checking in on your progress. One of the most effective ways to do this is by working with a coach.

Yes, we’re biased — but it’s true: a great coach provides healthy accountability, a trusted sounding board, and someone in your corner who won’t let you settle for less than your best work.

The right coach helps you balance challenge and support, giving you exactly what you need to stay focused, make decisions, and keep moving forward. 

Accountability is like an ice bath; the idea doesn’t sound great but the impact can be transformational.

At The Rethink Collective, we help leaders create the time, structure, and space to have these conversations, so they’re not squeezed out by the pace of change.

If you’d like to explore how this could work in your business, let’s talk.

Nick Cramp & Alice Bea Crozier

Nick Cramp and Alice Bea Crozier are the co-founders of The Rethink Collective, a partnership helping business leaders achieve sustainable success through strategic leadership coaching and operational clarity.

Their “Better Before Bigger” philosophy prioritises intentional leadership, resilience, and well-being over relentless expansion.

Nick, with nearly three decades of coaching experience, helps leaders move from overwhelm to clarity, while Alice, with expertise in education and operations, optimises leadership capability and efficiency. Together, they guide entrepreneurs to scale sustainably and align business success with personal fulfilment.

At The Rethink Collective, the focus isn’t just growth—it’s meaningful, sustainable success.

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