Responsibility isn't just about doing your job without making excuses. It's also mainly about owning your decisions, actions and their consequences. Those who take responsibility are respected as reliable and trustworthy, while those who deflect blame or avoid accountability lose credibility and make it harder for other people to want to work with or collaborate with them.
Imagine a situation where a project falls behind schedule due to an oversight. A responsible team leader will acknowledge their role, address the issue, and work to fix it rather than shifting the blame onto others. This approach builds trust, as it shows you’re willing to admit mistakes and take action to rectify them. It doesn’t mean, however, that if a team member failed to complete a task and it’s something that could have easily been prevented if they weren’t careless or inattentive, therefore causing the delay, that they shouldn’t be held accountable. It’s how you handle the situation that matters. Maybe take them aside after and have a constructive conversation, highlighting the impact of their actions while offering support and guidance on how to avoid similar issues in the future.
Taking responsibility for your actions, whether the outcomes are positive or negative, reinforces your integrity. When you are consistently accountable, people are more willing to trust and rely on you, knowing you stand by your word.