Growth happens when people take ownership of their responsibilities.

1. Do you want to see your child really grow and mature, someone
you work with really bloom, a partnership flourish or a team
produce exponentially and be truly fulfilled? Then give the gift
of responsibility this year.
We hear a lot about responsibility but what does it mean? Re-
sponsibility is the opportunity or ability to act independently
and make decisions without authorization. To give this means
you are entrusting or giving trust. Sounds easy but giving
complete trust is something most of us struggle with.
SO HOW DOES ONE GIVE THE GIFT OF RESPONSIBILITY?
• First, you need to communicate exactly what the expected
end result is and why it is important.
• Give freedom whenever possible. Things don’t always have
to be done “your way” to achieve the same or better results.
(I’m still working on this one!)
• Give them the opportunity to consult and ask for advice,
but a great initial response is, “So what do you think?”
Many times, as people develop, they have the right answer
but not the confidence needed to go forward.
• Do not give them all the answers, no one likes to be micro
managed and sometimes you are stunting their growth.
One of the growth opportunities comes from the challenge
of having to figure things out.
• Communicate that you have complete confidence in them
or you wouldn’t be giving this gift to them. Many times we
see people for who they are and can become before they do.
• Give responsibility from the beginning to the very end with
a clear opportunity for success or failure.
• Do not give up on someone too early. This builds trust,
loyalty and confidence. This is a long-term initiative, an
investment in others. Remember you didn’t always get it
right your first time!
• Give praise along the way and at the end. This contributes
greatly to confidence and satisfaction.
Warning: many times people love to swoop in at the end and
claim credit for the results or be overly protective if things go
bad. Both are equally damaging and mean you have not truly
given the gift of responsibility. There is no greater motivator
than the feeling of success, not even money, and the impactful
teaching one receives from failure is seldom forgotten.
AS WITH ANY GIFT, IT IS TRULY MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO
RECEIVE. How is this so with giving responsibility?
• First you become a “Multiplier” of talent rather than a “Di-
minisher” thus attracting more talent and more growth. If
you are not familiar with these terms I highly recommend
Liz Wiseman’s book Multiplier.
• The more people that are given responsibility, the more that
can be accomplished. This is clearly evident in something
as simple as work around the house to a multi-million dol-
lar project. (Not that work around the house is simple!)
Any organization/team can accomplish exponentially more
when responsibility is fully given.
• Lastly, watching someone grow to their full potential and
being able to look back and think you might have had
a part in it, is one of the most rewarding things you can
experience.
In the end though, like any gift, responsibility must also be
accepted. Make sure the person is both willing and competent.
My bet is they are. Experience shows there are plenty that are
willing and able they just need the opportunity.
Merry Christmas Everyone, may 2018 be your best year yet!
GIVING THE GIFT OF RESPONSIBILITY
VIEWPOINT BY TOMMY GREER