“How about we stop doing that?”

That line helped me reconsider my nightly ice cream habit.

In my head, a friend was standing there with me. In reality, I was borrowing the power of accountability…even if my partner was imaginary.

Turns out, that my instinct is backed by data.

According to platform data from Cohorty, which analyzed more than 1,000 structured habit challenges:

• Individuals working alone completed fewer than 25% of their goals.
• With structured accountability partners, success jumped above 70%.
• In small groups of 5–10, completion approached 80%.

Intentionality is great. But it’s rarely enough.

On average, people working with partners succeed at roughly three times the rate of those going it alone.

If changing a small personal habit is difficult, imagine the complexity of changing culture, developing leaders, or driving innovation. Organizations don’t drift into excellence. They grow there, together.

When something meaningful is at stake, don’t go it alone.