Responsibility is a unique concept... You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you... If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the man who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.
Interpretation
Responsibility cannot be shared or diluted; it remains with the individual even when delegated.
This quote emphasizes the essence of personal responsibility, highlighting that while tasks may be delegated or shared, the ultimate accountability lies with the individual. It suggests that one must face the consequences of their actions and cannot shift blame to others, underscoring a fundamental principle of leadership and integrity.
In practice
A manager could use this quote in a team meeting to reinforce the importance of owning up to one's responsibilities.
Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous impatience. Once implemented they can be easily overturned or subverted through apathy or lack of follow-up, so a continuous effort is required.
Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous impatience.
What it takes to do a job will not be learned from management courses. It is principally a matter of experience, the proper attitude, and common sense — none of which can be taught in a classroom... Human experience shows that people, not organizations or management systems, get things done.
I believe it is the duty of each of us to act as if the fate of the world depended on him. Admittedly, one man by himself cannot do the job. However, one man can make a difference. We must live for the future of the human race, and not for our own comfort or success.
The Devil is in the details, but so is salvation.
When doing a job — any job — one must feel that he owns it, and act as though he will remain in that job forever.
Oh for someone with a heart, head and hand. Whatever they call them, what do I care, aristocrat, democrat, autocrat, just be it one that can rule and dare not lie.
Leadership is neither a rank nor a title. It is a choice. The choice to provide care and protection for those for whom we are responsible.
I've actually come to respect the most irritatingly challenging people I've worked with as really valuable in improving group decision-making and what to do and what to invest in.
For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.
History has shown that one cannot legislate a culture of integrity. And yet, one of the paramount responsibilities and challenges of corporate leadership is to ensure such a culture.
I always lose the election in the polls, and I always win it on election day.
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