Leadership Tips & Training Called and Accountable Leadership for 2009

Let's face it – leading a class on losing weight can be really hard work and present a lot of pressure, especially if you try and do it alone. For many of us leading First Place 4 Health classes, an accountability person or prayer partner can be essential. Just knowing you have someone coming along side you can be a comfort. Ideally, to have a co-leader for your class would be a great choice for an accountability partner. Some of you do not have another leader to share the joys of leadership. If this is your situation, you can choose less involved, but equally as valuable, support from others, even a spouse, friend or co-worker.

Our networking leaders are working hard trying to find you and reach out to you! These networking leaders can be a great source of information, encouragement and accountability. If you have a networking leader in your state, or even in a state nearby, I would encourage you to make contact and give her the opportunity to minister to you. Many of these leaders hold quarterly meetings that would be a great source of connection with other leaders. You can find our FP4H Networking Leaders on our website under the “For Leaders” tab.

Who Would be a Good Accountability Partner? If you do have someone in your church or community that might be a potential partner, below are some questions you might want to consider:

• Has the person ever had a weight problem in the past, or is this someone you might just want to look like?
• Is talking about weight loss a natural part of your conversation and does it come easy?
• Would this person be willing to listen to you even if you are not experiencing success at weight loss?
• Would this person offer excuses for you if you were not losing weight?
• Is this friend willing to spend time in prayer for you?
• Does this friend have the time and genuine interest to invest in encouraging you to keep focused on your First Place 4 Health goals?

What Does My Partner Need to Know?
Communication is an essential part of any relationship. If you can communicate effectively, you are on the way to a successful relationship. It is important that your accountability partner is clear on what role he/she is to play. Here are some specific ideas for making it work:

• Tell your partner specifically how to help. Do not expect your partner to read your mind. If you choose a close friend or your spouse, you may expect them to know what you need. The more specific you are with your request the better your partner will be able to help and encourage. "Walk with me three mornings a week" is a much better request than "encourage me to exercise.”
• Be honest with your partner and share your areas of weakness, as well as your strengths. It might be a good idea to choose a partner that does not share your same weaknesses and strengths. For instance, if you struggle with making good food choices, choose someone who is disciplined in this area, but may need your encouragement in the area of exercise.
• Be an encouragement to your partner. A one-way relationship is not a successful relationship. Taking time to thank them for their friendship and time goes a long way in blessing them for their investment.

Ultimately, we are accountable to God and are responsible for the choices we make. We are told in Hebrews 12:1 to "…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Emphasis added). We must run our own race to wellness but an accountability partner can be such a support because, Two are better than one…if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl. 4:9-10.

I love my job at First Place 4 Health and would love to be a source of encouragement and help to you as leaders. Call or email me or your Networking Leader and let’s lead strong this year – called and accountable.

Blessings,
- Set aside a sacred place in our soul – a place that is private.

Vicki Heath

Vicki is our First Place 4 Health Director of Leadership Development.
She also is a Body & Soul Instructor and is on our two First Place 4 Health Aerobic DVD's. She is one of our First Place 4 Health conference speakers and leads Aerobics and speaks at our F.O.C.U.S Wellness Weeks each year.