Responsibility is a Choice
Responsibility is a decision. It's about taking ownership and committing to tasks, knowing you have the power to influence outcomes and grow personally and professionally.
You may remember those moments when your parents asked you to take care of your younger brother or sister, mow the lawn, or wash the dishes. The moment you said yes, if you even had the choice, you made yourself responsible. Maybe you were afraid of taking care of your siblings because you knew how hard it was to bring them to bed, or maybe you felt the boredom that crawled up your back when thinking about spending time with the fuel-stinking mower instead of having fun with your friends at the lake. Fear, boredom, or whatever feeling you had in that moment: it’s now your responsibility that there is no chaos in the living room made by your siblings, a well-cut lawn without shredding that one special plant, and not breaking that one plate that has been part of your family’s history for three generations.
Time changes, and so tasks like washing the dishes or mowing the lawn are not felt as a burden anymore and might have turned into a routine of things that just need to be done.
There is a great insight made by Jack Zenger, CEO of the consulting firm Zenger/Folkman, that emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility. He points out that leadership and responsibility are deeply interconnected. As you grow and take on more roles, even when your parents gave you the responsibility to watch out for the house over the weekend, you are the one who agreed on it. So you can see, responsibility is a choice.
Making that choice can be short-term, like deciding to take on a task for a day, or long-term, like committing to a project that spans several months or years. It’s all your responsibility because it’s in your hands, no one else's.
You have to take responsibility; no one else will take it for you. Responsibilities in your role are constantly evolving. They change because markets change, they change because people change, and they change because your personal goals are changing. Responsibility is in your hands; it evolves because you are embedded in an organism that changes towards the needs of the particular market you are working in.
Accepting responsibility also means understanding that you have the power to influence outcomes. It's not just about performing tasks; it's about owning the results of your actions. This ownership mentality can lead to personal growth, as it pushes you to learn, adapt, and excel in your endeavors.
In professional settings, taking responsibility is crucial for career advancement. Employers value employees who step up and take charge, demonstrating reliability and initiative. When you show that you can be trusted with important tasks, you build a reputation as a dependable and competent individual, paving the way for future opportunities.
In conclusion, responsibility is a decision. It starts with a choice and grows with commitment. Embrace it, and you'll find that it not only helps you fulfill your duties but also empowers you to shape your destiny and achieve your goals. Whether in personal life or professional settings, the decision to take responsibility is a cornerstone of success and fulfillment.
