A serious message to all leaders

Looking on the worst things happening today, climate change, hot and cold wars, then you can likely go mad about the question how we got that far such things are possible… If you don’t want to start searching explanations in politics, science, or other academic fields, the simplest answer that comes to me is:

Selfishness won over responsibility

We all have made the experience, that showing responsibility is sometimes tedious. It starts with responsibility for our own wellbeing. How often do we choose laziness against doing some sports, how easy it is grabbing some fast food instead of preparing an own meal… our body shows the result, not instantaneously, but for sure over the months and years.

Responsibility for others, presumably you can be faster when ignoring speed limits, however, in theory as drivers we are all aware about the immense risks of speeding. Wearing face masks to protect others (and yourself, by the way…) against infections is less comfortable than going without.

Responsibility for society, you get rich faster when avoiding paying taxes, doing fast deals rather than sustainable deals, and so on.

It is easy to point on the peak of the iceberg and pick some politicians or powerful managers and blame them for this and that, and often, the blame doesn’t come from nothing. However, responsibility starts with all of us, each individually, all the time, every day and minute. This is even more true, when you are a manager already, you’ve gotten that leadership task from someone who expects you to be responsible with the task.

Unresponsible leaders will generate unresponsible followers, seeking their own benefit first. Sure, we are in a competitive world, it is fair to seek advantages, however, think about who will pay the cost for your decision. Don’t let other people pay for your decisions that you took too easy. If we all would stick to such simple rules, the world could be a much better place for everyone.

Choose responsibility!