by Judy Ryan
Six qualities of the personally responsible. do you and your employees meet the criteria?
You may wonder: What criterion determines whether a person is personally responsible? Personal responsibility IS synonymous with authentic freedom, empowerment, creativity, accountability and alignment. It always brings about positive results. Without personal responsibility, people live lives of mediocrity and enter into petty struggles and resentment. A lack of responsibility always brings about negative results. As each person exercises choice, there is no neutral. Every person is always part of the problem or part of the solution.
Personal responsibility occurs when people are aware of their autonomy and consider what they think, feel, want and choose. Responsible people self-align. They know that every choice they make has both positive and negative consequences, and they feel ownership for three primary effects: the tasks or actions they engage in, the relationships that are impacted, and the outcomes that result. They are accountable because their beliefs, attitudes, reactions, feelings of ownership and actions are all congruent. Responsible people can be counted on. They say what they mean and mean what they say. They don’t hold back. Here are some qualities of responsible people:
They use responsible language. As they make decisions, you will not hear responsible people saying, “I have to,” “I ought to,” “I should,” “I need to” or “I can’t.” Rather, they say, “I have decided to,” “I choose to,” “I commit to,” “I want to,” “I will,” “I won’t” or some version of “can we negotiate?”
They don’t hide behind silence. Responsible people put their stake in the ground. If they agree to do something, they speak it. If they disagree, they speak it. If they want an option not offered, they speak that. When I work with executives, there are many times when they ask their staff to commit to new behaviors and participate in culture change. Often their people remain silent in a way that is dishonest. Even when they ask, “Is there anyone here who does not agree?,” too often there is silence when a conversation is needed. Responsible people make their position known so there is no ambiguity. They are honest and straightforward.
They build trusting relationships as they exercise choice. Responsible people follow through on commitments. Because they are not rebelling against some perceived external authority, they often look for alternative solutions and work to negotiate terms that work for all. They mindfully consider their role in the interpersonal dynamics. They don’t blame. They are not victims, and they don’t make victims of others. Because they own their choices, they are both receptive to, and disclosing of, ideas, opinions and feelings. They show respect and recognize the value of others because they value themselves.
They know they are creating their reality. Responsible people consider the outcomes of their choices and fully accept them as their creations. They appear strong, capable and wholesome. Others recognize their integrity.
They know they are purposeful in exercising their power. Responsible people don’t hide behind a story of what they are not. They don’t think or say, “I am not the boss, so I can’t…,” “I am not safe when I am honest and say what I really think or want, so I have to be quiet” or “I am not strong, decisive, privileged, lucky or ____ like so-and-so.”
They are likable. None of us likes to be around people who are blaming, withholding support, fearful, rebellious, mean-spirited, negative and apathetic. Responsible people are happy and free. They attract others to them. No matter what their age, gender, station or circumstance, responsible people are inspiring, authentic leaders.
Judy Ryan (judy@LifeworkSystems.com), human systems specialist, is owner of LifeWork Systems. Her mission is to help people create lives and jobs they love. She can be reached at 314-239-4727
Submitted 9 years 81 days ago