Hello Leaders,
Welcome to Today. Today's Leadership and Personal Development tip deals with Responsibility.
Maxim: Real leaders never delegate ultimate responsibility.
One of the ways to grow in an organization is to assume responsibility. Have you ever heard the saying, "Every tub sits on its own bottom"? I didn't quite understand it until I became older. And dare I say a bit wiser? We are all responsible for every decision we make. And we are responsible for the decisions we believe we do not make. Deciding not to choose is still a decision. As a result, we are exactly where we are because of the choices we have made up to this point. Every tubs sits on its own bottom means each individual is responsible for his/her decisions.
Why did Blockbuster go bankrupt? It is not because the market dynamics changed. It is because Blockbuster chose to continue making money by penalizing customers via late fees and sticking too long with outdated brick and mortar retail stores. The market is not responsible for its failure. Netflix and Redbox are not responsible. Yes the market and competition played a factor. However, Blockbuster is ultimately responsible for its own demise.
Let me share the hard truth. If you are upset because you have been passed over for a promotion, a key account, a nicer church to lead, a role on a new project, a better class to teach, etc., the person ultimately responsible is found in the mirror. If you report to a terrible manager... leave. Or, if you decide stay, take responsibility for your career. Hold the manager accountable. Here are 10 quick and simple steps to take now.
1. Schedule regular 1:1's with your manager.
2. Ask her what needs to be done (and when) to get the promotion.
3. Ask her what needs to be done for her to get promoted (or achieve her goals).
4. Begin helping your manager achieve her goals while you also work on yours.
5. During your weekly or monthly 1:1 give your manager an update on your progress.
6. Seek her feedback, ask for assistance if needed, and make any necessary course corrections.
7. Learn how your contributions and hers help the organization achieve its overall goals.
8. Keep a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances.
9. Learn from your failures. Share with your manager what you have learned and what you would do differently.
10. Learn from your successes. Make sure it is repeatable and keep doing it.
There are more steps but these ten can put you on the path to success and increasing responsibilities. If you are still not on the promotion track after performing these steps, you have a decision to make. Should you continue to help make the organization better or take your talents elsewhere? Either way, you will become a more valuable resource because you have chosen to take responsibility for your career and your decisions. Good managers will recognize your growth and positive attitude and will reward you accordingly. They will do this because you are adding more value to the entity.
Back to Blockbuster. The CEO could have and may have assigned the decision to maintain the outdated business model to a marketing VP and the late fees policy to an operations VP. Perhaps these two made the wrong decisions. They would have to take responsibility for those decisions. But let's not forget, the buck stops with the CEO. The ultimate responsibility for choices that affect the outcome of the company resides with him. He was ultimately responsible for these portentous decisions. Yes. He could delegate the decisions. But he could not delegate ultimate responsibility.
When Ambassadors speak on behalf of the United States, the President is ultimately responsible. That responsibility cannot be delegated. Your success can not be delegated. You are ultimately responsible for you. Real leaders assume responsibility. Of all the things that can be delegated, ultimate responsibility is not of them.
Are you ready for success? It's yours. Go get it. Take responsibility for your life and start or keep living the dream! If you need help in this area, please contact me. Let me help bring out the best in you and/or your organization.
That's it for now. Until the next tip....
Mike Nwankwo
Founder & CEO
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