In This Issue: Being Response-Able
Responsibility can be a heavy word. For many of us growing up in Western societies with a strong work ethic, being responsible is equated to duty, obligation, doing the right thing, and being accountable to our promises. This can feel burdensome for many of us, often bringing up feelings of blame, shame, guilt, or inadequacy. We therefore struggle with wanting our children, our employees, or even ourselves to become more responsible, against the heavy cultural baggage that has accumulated behind that word.
At Ascendi, we take a different perspective on responsibility. We say that being responsible begins by first acknowledging the hand that we play in everything that happens to us. This is summarized in the statement "we create what we have, what we do, and who we are." So, as difficult as this might be to accept, we have some responsibility in the matter when our children talk back to us or when our star employee joins the competition. To reject our share of responsibility renders us powerless - and impotent - in equal measure.
Imagine stretching the term "responsibility" between two poles. On one end, there is the objective statement of the matter at hand. On the other end, there is our unique posture or position about it - what we're consciously committed to, anchored to deeply held values and convictions. For example, "rolling out the XYZ product in Latin America" vs. our conscious commitment to "thorough research and impeccable execution." If we're observant, we can notice the baggage that tends to show up between those two poles in the form of assessments (the task is "difficult/challenging") and judgments (a "good/bad" idea), which can weigh down and burden the outcome. However, in responsibility, there's none of that! It's much simpler. In being responsible, there's only what is, and our stand.
We invite you to engage in the following three-part practice throughout your day. First, notice the challenging circumstances that present themselves and acknowledge your responsibility in the matter - how you have contributed to things turning out the way they have. Second, distinguish the objective elements of each circumstance vs. your conscious commitment toward it. Third, turn down the volume on the weighty judgments and assessments. This is freedom.
In the final analysis, we cannot force people to become more responsible. We can, however, offer an invitation that leads to a much richer and productive space: ownership. In taking ownership of a situation, we come to the realization that a "burden" has been transformed into something truly magnificent: a gift or grace that we give to ourselves.
Would you or your employees benefit from a greater sense of ownership in your work? Ascendi can show you how. Please contact us at any time. We would love to hear from you.
Warm Regards,
