What term describes the responsibility that an individual has to achieve their goals when held accountable by an external source?

The term that describes the responsibility an individual has to achieve their goals when held accountable by an external source is "accountability." When a person is held accountable, it implies that they are answerable to someone else for their actions and decisions, particularly concerning their personal or professional goals. This external source can include a coach, mentor, or even a peer group that monitors progress and offers support or evaluation.

Accountability often fosters commitment and motivation because individuals are more likely to follow through on their intentions when they know someone else is tracking their progress. It encourages ownership of actions and results, leading to a higher rate of success in achieving specified goals.

The other terms can relate to aspects of this process, but they do not fully encapsulate the concept of being responsible to another party regarding goal achievement. "Assurance" generally refers to a guarantee or confidence in something, "supervision" entails overseeing someone’s work, and "responsibility" is a broader term that does not specifically denote the external component of accountability.