It’s easy to be in charge; it’s hard to take responsibility

A lot of us who aspired to leadership grew up believing it’s about being in charge.

Being in charge is control.

Direction.

Instruction.

It says:

Go there

Do this

Come back and tell me when it’s done

And I’ll tell you what to do next.

Being responsible on the other hand is creating conditions.

Empowering others to make decisions.

Whilst still being the one to bear the consequences.

It says:

We agree to achieve this.

What do you need from me to enable you to contribute to that goal?

How can I help you along the way?

It focuses on desired outcomes not prescribed process.

Being in charge is about making sure it gets done right.

Taking responsibility is about making sure mistakes can safely be made.

Just as it is easier to be told what to do than to be empowered to find a solution ourselves

So it is harder to take responsibility than be in charge.

Which do you prefer?