Whose Responsibility is it, Anyway?

Sometimes you read or re-read a quotation that accurately describes your view of the world.  Today, I share one of those with you.

If it’s never your fault, you can’t take responsibility for it. And if you can’t take responsibility for it, you’ll always be its victim.
        – Richard Bach, author

Questions to Ponder

• What part of the situation belongs to me?
• What could I have done differently?
• How can I positively influence future outcomes?

Action Steps

1. When looking at any situation, determine what role you played in it.
2. Look for what you could do differently to improve the outcome next time.
3. Take responsibility and you will create better results.

My Thoughts

Until you recognize some ownership of any situation, you won’t take any action related to it.   This is as true for anyone on the planet – including you and the people who work for you.

If you want to coach people or otherwise influence them to change their behavior or take any action in a situation, they must believe and understand that they had some ownership.  People must see that they can influence the outcome or they will do nothing.

If they are living in denial or being a victim, as the quotation points out, they are not going to take any action.

Understanding – and applying  – this profound truth, both for yourself and how you deal with others, is a hallmark of a highly effective leader and human being.

How will you apply this lesson today?