I recently shared some ideas based on an editorial by David Brooks in which he said, “People tend to have better outcomes when they are held accountable by a network of peers.” My previous blog focused on the outcomes of the people that we’re leading and serving, but it’s just as important to consider how this idea applies to us as leaders.

What does your church or ministry need from you as a leader? Your answer to this question points to a desired outcome, or at least the behaviors and characteristics that will generate the desired outcome. For example, you might say that your church or ministry needs you to be:

• Bold and courageous in leading change
• Innovative and risk-taking in launching new initiatives
• Empowering of others to share leadership and expand organizational impact
• Willing to admit mistakes and to hear different perspectives.

It’s possible for one (or more) of these characteristics to come naturally for a leader. But in many cases, the desired behavior is easier to identify than enact.

That’s where peer accountability can change your leadership trajectory. Would it make a difference if you were part of a trusted group of peers who faced similar challenges and who encouraged and held each other accountable? I’m confident that it would. You don’t need more books or conferences. You need the nudge to act on what you may already know and a safe place to reflect on your experiences, both successes and failures.

Peer accountability can take many forms, but there are several things that are essential: commitment, trust, vulnerability, and a sense of being on a shared journey. Groups membership is closed (or at least not constantly changing), as this is essential for trust. The best groups meet face-to-face and require an investment of time. They rarely produce immediate breakthroughs, but they often lead to significant growth for the leader which in turn lifts their organization.

I’ve heard most of the excuses – not enough time, can’t find a group, bad experiences in the past, etc. But if I could give any advice to a ministry leader today, it would simply be to find or create a meaningful peer group. It might be the best professional investment you’ll ever make.

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