It has been said, "The ability to accept responsibility is the measure of a man." Taking responsibility, though never easy, is truly the measure of a person. As a father, I aspire to take responsibility for my actions, in order to teach important lessons to my children. Likewise, as a businessman, I always try to set a good example for my employees and associates by taking responsibility for my decisions. It is not only my desire to lead others by example; I believe it is my responsibility to do so.
Responsibility is choosing to respond. It is the contract you make with yourself stating how you are going to live and operate in life and business. Included in this contract are the standards you wish to strive for, the integrity you wish to fight for, and the reputation you wish to be known for. It is a private matter, one that you measure your life against, silently keeping score.
Choosing to respond in a given situation by taking responsibility for our actions and decisions has a way of making us humble. (Boy, don't I know it!) In living life, we will never always be right on. It's a fact of life, that we will make mistakes; we will make the wrong decisions. It's impossible not to! Every decision we make, every action we take, is a risk of sorts, and sometimes we just stick our necks out a little too far, and experience failure. However failure is not the end of the world-not when we choose to respond by quickly and honestly admitting our mistakes. Sure, taking responsibility can be painful, but the alternative–blaming or making excuses–can be more painful.
