Back on May 27 Seth Godin posted a short but powerful message:

Accountability vs. responsibility 

Accountability is done to you. It’s done by the industrial system, by those that want to create blame.

Responsibility is done by you. It’s voluntary. You can take as much of it as you want.

Accountability is a word we hear a lot these day. Accountability is one of the core values of some organizations. 

I see and hear a lot of people ranting about accountability and how the government, the police, big business, their bosses, and their co-workers need to be help accountable. 

The problem is that they are usually pointing the finger of blame at someone else and talking about how “they” need to be held accountable. The person we often fail to hold accountable is our self. 

What we need to talk more about is Responsibility. The conversation needs to shift to focus on each of us taking responsibility. Taking responsibility for our words, our actions, our inaction, our decisions, our attitude and our behaviors.

Accepting responsibility requires you to look in the mirror, point the finger of accountability directly at yourself and ask, “What piece of this do I own? What do I need to do to make the situation better? What do I need to accept responsibility for that I am currently blaming others for?”

It is fine to say, “We all need to be held accountable.” The best way to make that happen however, is for each of us to step up and take responsibility. 

What’s Important Now? When it comes to responsibility, be a taker. 

Take care.

Brian Willis

www.lifesmostpowerfulquestion.com

www.winningmindtraining.com

Maximizing human potential through Life's Most Powerful Question - What's Important Now?

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