Be Responsible

31 - Responsibility

It is your responsibility to perform your work and do it to the best of your ability. Do this without making excuses, and where any errors or deficiencies may occur, correct your mistakes immediately. Keep your commitments and do the right thing in the right way. Be reliable. Know what is expected of you. Seek out the necessary information to perform all actions needed by asking questions, observing processes, and even researching where appropriate. Be cognizant of all expectations involved with your job, duties, and the leadership role you hold. Responsibility is an obligation you must do because of a prior commitment or agreement. Abide by your own moral compass and follow up and follow through with all obligations you make.

Essential Factors to Consider About Responsibility:

Who are you responsible to? Even as a leader, you are still responsible to other people. You may have a boss or superior over you. Or a licensing commission that your trade is bound to. Seek a clear understanding of what they expect of you, then give even more, going above or beyond what is expected. You have probably figured this out if you are currently in a leadership position. When you do what is expected of you, you are honorable, reliable, and will get paid as expected. However, if you fulfill the requirements and go beyond the expectations quota, you will shine and stand out from the others. This initiative will thrust you into leadership and management positions and promotions. You are also responsible to your family. Perhaps you are the head of your household, and your family relies on you. This is a big responsibility involving instant trust and dependence. Make it a priority to fulfill your family obligations. You may also be responsible in other facets of your local community. Obey HOA guidelines or city ordinances. You are responsible to your local government and your country. Even in a position of leadership, there are many people or groups that you are still responsible for. Be accountable to them all and stay true to your commitments and obligations, performing at your best for each one.
Who are you responsible for? If you are in a leadership position, there are associates that you lead. Be responsible for their care, growth, and development. Are they nurtured mentally, physically, professionally, and spiritually? Are you focused on what is important for them and to them so they may be at their best or work towards their ultimate performance levels? Are you making sure their needs are met where appropriate within your power? How about your family? Are you responsibly meeting their needs? How about your pets? Are you a mentor for another sector or organization? Or in a position of authority within your community?
What are you responsible for? Your list of responsibilities could be endless. The first step is to know what you are responsible for. Take time to create a list of responsibilities that need your daily attention. Define them, and perhaps categorize them into daily, weekly, and monthly applications. Then discover what the expectations and obligations of the responsibilities are. Are they all reasonable? Do you have all the necessary information to execute them efficiently, or at least know where to find the answers you need? Be diligent and fulfill your responsibilities.
Balance responsibilities. Once all your responsibilities have been defined, determine if they are all reasonable. Is your burden too heavy? Or maybe too light? Where else could you lend a helping hand? Or do you need to delegate some projects or duties to some of your employees or family members to lighten your load? It is important to recognize a healthy balance of responsibilities and not underestimate or overestimate your workload and capabilities. Be observant of the workload of those you oversee. Also, make sure what is being asked of them is challenging yet reasonable. You are responsible for ensuring they are growing productively and not overwhelmed with tasks.
Are you responsible? Are you responsible for saying no when you know there isn’t enough time? Or to step in and offer help when you see an associate struggling? Do you make decisions based on the belief system you defined for yourself? Do you keep enough supplies for your staff to perform their jobs efficiently? Do you account for heavy traffic when driving to an event you committed to? Be sure to prepare for each of your responsibilities and commitments properly. Research or gather information where necessary to complete a project or to participate in an activity productively. Be responsible enough always to be prepared, healthy, and well-rested.

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln

“I’m not perfect; I make mistakes all the time. All I can do is try my best to learn from my mistakes, take responsibility for them, and do a better job tomorrow.” Lana

“Everybody is responsible for their own actions. It’s easy to point the finger at somebody else, but a real man, a real woman, a real person knows when it’s time to take the blame and when to take responsibility for their own actions.” Marcus Smart

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” Jim Rohn

“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.” Marie Curie