Part 1
We’ve heard it used in the political arena (one party requesting the other party to adopt it); we’ve heard it used in the media, and we ask why it no longer seems to exist in our society. We talk about it when we see large companies receiving government financial bail-outs then squandering the bail-out dollars on lavish offices and private jets. We’ve all worked for companies where some individuals display a flagrant and unashamed lack of it.
So, what is personal responsibility?
Taking Personal Responsibility is when we take responsibility for ourselves and our own actions.
I believe this means responsibility for all your choices in:
· relationships
· life direction
· career
· how you feel and react to events
· how you feel and react to people
· where your life has landed
· working toward future goals
Personal Responsibility does not only come into play after an action but also before and during every action and taking personal responsibility has positive effects in our lives.
· We stop being a victim of the world
· We earn respect both from others and for ourselves.
· We grow up and realize we are the catalyst for the creation that is us
I believe in personal responsibility!
I believe that life doesn’t just happen to us, that we have the potential to create our own destiny and we can do that as individuals and as a collective depending on the choices made. In the end, we must own the choices personally. That ownership forces us to accept we have and own the power for our lives. It forces us to engage in better decision making and planning for ourselves and it helps us to create and forge better relationships with others.
As the leader of my own life, it’s my job to take responsibility for any actions that have lead me to be where I am right now – good or bad! The beauty of this statement is that each and every thing I have ever done has brought me to this very point in my life which means each and every thing I can do in the future has the potential to bring me to a different place, if I so choose.
One of the most difficult experiences to manage in a company is when an employee, or worse yet a manager, lays blame for their lack of success on others.
“It’s because of <insert event or name here> that I was unable to make that sale…close that deal…complete the project…etc.”
“If it wasn’t for <insert event or name here> I would have been ____…owned ____…accomplished ____…etc.”
We’ve all heard the litany of excuses and the feverish pitch of blame tossed around by someone deflecting responsibility and most of us have even partaken in the avoidance of Personal Responsibility once or twice ourselves. What does it accomplish? Nothing positive!
Many companies work diligently to create accountability measures to ensure employees and managers alike are held responsible for the work they have been entrusted to do. The reality is, no accountability measures can replace personal responsibility, because personal ownership of ones actions go far deeper than a company can reach.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this post!
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Strategic Sense Inc Specializes in working with Executives of companies who care about the people and know the business they do is being done by the people in their employ. Leadership, Communication, Strategy, Plans of Action.