I have been having lots of discussions and messages that have centered on something that I think continues to take a back seat in today’s world. Looking back on my posts, I found a trend forming… Personal responsibility comes up almost every April, since I have started blogging. Back in 2010, I wrote about “What – No Personal Responsibility.” The best of my post were focused on the following:
What would make people not want to stand up and take responsibility for their actions?
- Afraid of the perception that they don’t know what they are doing. I don’t know about you, but this one really makes them look incompetent.
- Afraid of the consequences. Fear does wonderful things, usually not in a good way.
- Never had to take responsibility ever, so why start now. This one, is starting to really come out loud and clear to me. As the workforce is changing – this lack of responsibility is a fundamental building block on solid work ethic.
In 2014, I really stepped up my feeling about the growing trend of folks not taking personal responsibility for their actions (or lack of action) in “Where is Personal Responsibility Going?” This all stemmed from a discussion I had with a few different folks at a non-profit meeting I attended. It started with the basic question of, “when you think of personal responsibility, what is the first think that comes to mind? The most common answers were blame and who’s fault is it… Ouch!
I am not sure if our shining examples of people today are really hitting home to me now, or I am just wanting to start of movement to increasing personal responsibility.
My 2014 post brought up one area that is close to home. My wife is a teacher. When I was growing up the teachers word was golden. Now a days, parents blame teachers and teachers blame parents for poor performance. Managers blame employees and employees blame managers.
I completely support holding people accountable for their responsibilities, words and actions (or lack of action). When I was leading organizations, I would always use every teachable moment to help insure that everyone was taking responsibility for themselves.
Before we every finger point the blame to someone else – we must make sure that we have done everything possible ourselves!
While writing this post, I am thinking it is time for a start to getting personal responsibility back! Anything that needs to happen, must start with someone. Here is my personal responsibility pledge:
“From this day forward, I pledge to always give my best and fullest effort to a business, organization, cause or relationship that I am involved in. If I am witness to anyone that is not taking personal responsibility on their part, I will use that opportunity to teach personal responsibility.”
Will you like to take the pledge?
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