The Incredible Lightness of Being Responsible

Here’s a foolproof way to simplify your life and achieve more of your goals:

Accept responsibility as often as possible, even when you don’t have to. Here are ten reasons why.

1) You’ll stop worrying about who’s going to take care of a task. It’s always you. Affirm your ability to solve problems and complete tasks, and build self-confidence.

“Yeah, I can handle that; bring it on.”

2) Think about how much time and energy you’ve wasted trying to avoid or reassign responsibility. Waste no more.

“I’ll take responsibility for that. Now let’s get something accomplished together.”

3) You’ll become memorably unique.

“Oh you heard about that? Yeah, that’s me all over. I’m the person who actually enjoys being responsible.”

4) It’s the ultimate “paying it forward” opportunity. Everyone will be more attracted to you, and feel special–you value what they’re doing so much, you want to help them in a meaningful way. And they’ll feel grateful because you’ve relieved them of a burden.

“You’re a special person, with too much on your plate. Let me take responsibility so you can focus on more important stuff.”

5) It will help you bond with people you should work with, versus those who’ll try to take advantage of you.

“Bob, I notice you’re always trying to pass the buck. That isn’t my style. It’s been nice.”

6) And when you do fail (we all do)? You’ll have built up so much good will and recognition, nobody will be too critical. All those people who you’ve trained to become more responsible will be there to cover your back.

“Thanks Jane. I guess I couldn’t handle it by myself after all. Good thing I have friends like you!”

7) One thing we can all use more of is self-discipline and clarity (see #8).

“You all know me as the go-to person who takes care of business. Please help me get my facts straight, and tap into everyone’s expertise and resources!”

In the social media age, a leader is the man or woman who brings the most value to the table. Starting today you’ll quickly be identified as a leader, without really trying.

“Let’s tackle that issue together. I’ll take responsibility and you take the credit. How does that sound?”

9) One of my role models is the original fitness guru, Jack LaLanne (born in 1914). Everybody dismissed him as a kook fifty years ago, when he first jumped around doing exercises in Spandex on black-and-white TV. Now he looks a little silly, getting excited about juicers in cheesy infomercials. But he has spent decades making our jaws drop with incredible physical achievements and promoting self-discipline: “I do [exercise] as something to keep me alive. We all need a little discipline. Exercise is my discipline.” Why not make responsibility your discipline?

10) Enjoy the rest of your life more, because you’re so productive now.

“I got a lot done today, Lizzie. Let’s go outside and throw your Frisbee around for a while.”

Measurements as levers for change

Image via Wikipedia

It’s a truism that we measure what’s important to us, so we can change or improve it.

In a sense, measurements are the “lever” we use to make those changes or improvements. And the status quo once controlled or manipulated the process, by defining which “fulcrum” we could use.

For example, if the only measurement “lever” we could use on quality improvement was COQ, we had to use the “fulcrum” of the company’s P&L, or compliance standards. Back then we couldn’t track value-added or intangible changes in a company, because we could only work with financial statements or quality reports.

Thanks to Superperformance, companies can willingly give up their use of “fulcrums;” because there’s nothing organic about a lever and a fulcrum. Within a truly organic organization, the most pertinent data will measure value-driven improvements to the organization, and to those who contribute to its success.

COQ could be measured in whatever terms the stakeholders buy into. Then that measurement becomes more than a sign of what’s important to the company today. It tells us which activity will offer the greatest value (and therefore profits) down the road.

Culture Hits Home

Image by nimboo via Flickr

U.S. officials say they’re surprised and confused about how many American Muslims are being recruited by terrorist groups for their involvement in potentially violent activities (Wash. Post: “Arrests suggest U.S. Muslims, like those in Europe, can be radicalized abroad”). And moderate Muslim groups are wondering how to counter this trend among young Muslims before it spreads.

This should come as no surprise, though. There’s a one-word explanation: culture. Or rather, cultures.

More than with any other contemporary religion or belief system, Islamic culture directly influences the way its adherents think, act–even borrow money or go to court.  And now what passes for culture on the Internet is driving its explosive growth, as everyone seeks meaningful and helpful engagement.

Violence doesn’t reflect core Islamic beliefs, any more than porn reflects the internet culture. But the ability of violent Muslims to recruit across so many miles shows how a culture can shape the lives of people from every nation, race and way of life. Or in this case, the apparently potent combination of Islamic and internet cultures.

You might say: “Cultural relevance–use it or lose it.”