Responsibility
Responsibility is a more complex concept than it appears at first glance. The term can be defined from a few different perspectives: the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone, the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something, or the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization. More informally, responsibility means making choices and/or taking actions that take into consideration the situation at hand, the parties involved, and the consequences of those decisions. It also means taking ownership over your successes as well as your failures. A responsible person does not blame others or “pass the buck” when it comes to their choices. Gaining the trust and respect of others hinges on how responsible and reliable you are viewed in their eyes. The importance of responsibility as a competency cannot be underestimated.
Responsibility in Leadership
Being responsible as a leader means you take your followers, your organization, and your integrity into account when weighing leadership decisions. Responsible leaders know how to respond to situations maturely and professionally and how to overcome the pressure and stress that accompanies decision making. A responsible leader also has an obligation to model and promote organizational values and to lead by example. When establishing trust and member buy-in with followers, leaders must demonstrate that they will be reliable advocates for the team’s needs and responsible for setting the tone for their team or organization. And while every leader hopes to see only successful projects and outcomes in their careers, there will inevitably be failures as well. How a leader responds to and bounces back from failure says much more about them than how they celebrate their successes. You will not gain the trust and respect of your followers by throwing them under the bus when things go wrong. Taking responsibility as a leader can manifest in diverse ways, but it is a key component to integrity and morality.
Artifact
On January 15th this year (2023) my fellow partners voted and named me Partner of the Quarter. The store partners vote on this honor anonymously, but the recipient is often shown some of the reasons that were included by partners for choosing them. During the Christmas season of 2022 my store faced a lot of challenges, including being short-staffed and overwhelmed by the volume of business. One of the reasons I was nominated for this award was because I took responsibility for covering callouts and filling in shift gaps while our store manager was on vacation the week following Christmas. It felt good to be recognized specifically for the ownership I took as a shift supervisor and leader in my store, and the extra responsibility I took on myself to help my entire team operate successfully. My artifact is the picture I sent out to my family and close friends after I was presented with my award and Partner of the Quarter pin.
Responsibility is a more complex concept than it appears at first glance. The term can be defined from a few different perspectives: the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone, the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something, or the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization. More informally, responsibility means making choices and/or taking actions that take into consideration the situation at hand, the parties involved, and the consequences of those decisions. It also means taking ownership over your successes as well as your failures. A responsible person does not blame others or “pass the buck” when it comes to their choices. Gaining the trust and respect of others hinges on how responsible and reliable you are viewed in their eyes. The importance of responsibility as a competency cannot be underestimated.
Responsibility in Leadership
Being responsible as a leader means you take your followers, your organization, and your integrity into account when weighing leadership decisions. Responsible leaders know how to respond to situations maturely and professionally and how to overcome the pressure and stress that accompanies decision making. A responsible leader also has an obligation to model and promote organizational values and to lead by example. When establishing trust and member buy-in with followers, leaders must demonstrate that they will be reliable advocates for the team’s needs and responsible for setting the tone for their team or organization. And while every leader hopes to see only successful projects and outcomes in their careers, there will inevitably be failures as well. How a leader responds to and bounces back from failure says much more about them than how they celebrate their successes. You will not gain the trust and respect of your followers by throwing them under the bus when things go wrong. Taking responsibility as a leader can manifest in diverse ways, but it is a key component to integrity and morality.
Artifact
On January 15th this year (2023) my fellow partners voted and named me Partner of the Quarter. The store partners vote on this honor anonymously, but the recipient is often shown some of the reasons that were included by partners for choosing them. During the Christmas season of 2022 my store faced a lot of challenges, including being short-staffed and overwhelmed by the volume of business. One of the reasons I was nominated for this award was because I took responsibility for covering callouts and filling in shift gaps while our store manager was on vacation the week following Christmas. It felt good to be recognized specifically for the ownership I took as a shift supervisor and leader in my store, and the extra responsibility I took on myself to help my entire team operate successfully. My artifact is the picture I sent out to my family and close friends after I was presented with my award and Partner of the Quarter pin.
Reflection
Responsibility in Organizational Leadership
Recognizing the importance of responsibility in organizational leaders is interconnected to ethics and moral integrity. Beyond the desire to be a good person, leaders in organizations have an obligation to take responsibility in all aspects of their leadership duties. Many leaders have been scrutinized for their inability to take responsibility and apologize for their mistakes or personal shortcomings. If you have ever seen a company’s stock sales slip dramatically after a CEO or board member hides negative information or evidence of their involvement in poor performance or illegal practices, then you understand the far-reaching implications of failing to take responsibility. It is absolutely important that OGL majors embrace responsibility as a core competency.
Personal Growth & Development
Taking responsibility for my actions was instilled in me from an early age. I have always had a difficult time respecting anyone who throws others under the bus or shifts blame when it is time to take responsibility. I feel like I have a much better understanding now of what it means to take responsibility as a leader. I recognize that being responsible means being reliable, accountable, and consistent. Being able to admit that you were wrong is admirable, but showing development and growth after a misstep is taking full responsibility; it means that you are committed to not repeating your mistakes. My team looks up to me and respects me because they know that I will take responsibility for making the tough decisions and forming a plan of action for success. They know I have their back and that I will stand with them in failure and success.
Responsibility in Organizational Leadership
Recognizing the importance of responsibility in organizational leaders is interconnected to ethics and moral integrity. Beyond the desire to be a good person, leaders in organizations have an obligation to take responsibility in all aspects of their leadership duties. Many leaders have been scrutinized for their inability to take responsibility and apologize for their mistakes or personal shortcomings. If you have ever seen a company’s stock sales slip dramatically after a CEO or board member hides negative information or evidence of their involvement in poor performance or illegal practices, then you understand the far-reaching implications of failing to take responsibility. It is absolutely important that OGL majors embrace responsibility as a core competency.
Personal Growth & Development
Taking responsibility for my actions was instilled in me from an early age. I have always had a difficult time respecting anyone who throws others under the bus or shifts blame when it is time to take responsibility. I feel like I have a much better understanding now of what it means to take responsibility as a leader. I recognize that being responsible means being reliable, accountable, and consistent. Being able to admit that you were wrong is admirable, but showing development and growth after a misstep is taking full responsibility; it means that you are committed to not repeating your mistakes. My team looks up to me and respects me because they know that I will take responsibility for making the tough decisions and forming a plan of action for success. They know I have their back and that I will stand with them in failure and success.
