I was reading Moments of Truth by Jan Carlzon. When I came to the following quote I paused and thought about it for several minutes.
"An individual without information cannot take responsibility; an individual who is given information cannot help but take responsibility."
—Jan Carlzon
Upon reflection, I have found this to be true in my life and in the lives of others. I have also noticed that most are not particularly motivated to excel when this is the case.
It would be good for each of us to reflect and remember this lesson as we work with others. Especially if it is our goal to get the most out of our people.
My favorite quote is: "Inspire, not require" It says to me that if I work hard hard enough those around me will catch my vision and be inspired to work equally as hard.
Give it a try, it will make you better as well as those around you!
Monday, March 26, 2007
How To Get Others To Take Responsibility
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15 comments:
This applies not only to people that work for you but also with people you work for or around. Sadly, our world is so focused on "me" that implementing this principle is difficult. It requires a person to change their thought process and many just find that too hard to do.
I think that is very true how can you act or take any responsibility if you haven't been given any information to work with.
i believe that if you set a good example that others will follow
I find the quote mentioned in this blog to be very true in my own life and in the lives of the people I am around. I know if I know more about something and that something has a bad outcome, I feel more personally responsible for the outcome than if I didn't really know a whole lot about the subject matter.
I agree with that quote. Most of the time, people beleive they are not responsible if the information has not been provided. Once provided with the information, they have no way of not taking responsibility. In my job, I am often teaching others where to find information. Once found, they usually have no problem performing the task required and feel a resposibility for doing it.
Kory
If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime. if you give a man a fish you you feed him for a day. You have know given him the resbonsibility and know how to provide for himself. If he starves it's his own fault.
its true. it always work that way when you have a positive mind set and take responsibility with the knowledge that you are given, others will see and follow your vision. i completely agree with this blog. thats what i try to do when im on the basketball court. i try my best to give knowledge to others and put my responsibilities on the court and let my teammates see that im positive and that im going to give it all i got plus more.
Matt Spence
I really like the quote "inspire, not require". I have an associate at work that has applied this simple principle to his job. He is continually over exceling at his job with training and helping others achieve area goals. By doing this the other team members have caught the fever and are now working closer as a team as ever before. We are now hitting record numbers. This is all because we are inspiring, and not requiring.
This can definitly apply inside the home and outside the home. For some reason people are just drawn to people who inspire others. They thrive on it. Naturally people start to adapt to how they are treated. But as quoted "Inspire, not require", when we do inspire others let them change naturally. Don't every require them to or they will go the other way.
I also have noticed in my life that when people are not given full or inaccurate information it is impossible for them to take the necessary responsibility to fulfill what is required of them. Most people when give the correct info are more than happy to do that which is required, and where only waiting for the correct information.
Tyler Williams
i agree with what you have said. i have seen it work in my own life as well.
Bartley Williams
I agree with this as well. I think the knowledge you have is power. You can use this power to your advantage and claim the weaker ones. :)
I liked this article because I believe this to be true. If people do not have information, it is easy for them to not take responsibility. However, if they are given information, they are almost forced to take responsibility because they had info, and they knew the possibilities that could arise. Ryan Bassett
i think it is true tha you cant expect others to be responsable for things thy dont know,when you do know somthing you shoud take responsably and always keep learnig how to inprove your self
Sheryl Morland
I think everyone has to take responsibility for whatever they say or do, not just pass it off. I agree it is better to have left and inspiring and motivational quote or idea for someone to think about and its great to always learn at least one thing a day and use it in some way to move forward in improving the goals etc. you're aiming for. You are responsible for where you get to.
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