Weak Excuses

Click here for additional entries.

Yesterday I wrote with the belief that there are no small responsibilities.  Today I would like to elaborate on the consequences of thinking one occupies a small job with small responsibilities.  This viewpoint, which discounts the importance of the job held (as compared to the large, important jobs of top tier employees), tends to lead to an almost reflexive deferring to higher powers--my job is small, my responsibilities are small, what I think or say cannot possibly matter anyway.  I don’t need to think critically or creatively, develop firm opinions, and have the courage of my convictions.  My stance becomes one of meekness, weakness, passivity, and increasing fatalism—even to the point of feeling victimized.  Why bother, just let those responsible decide.  Besides, this lets me off the hook.  If things go badly, then I am not to blame.  Effective responsible action often requires close proximity to the task to get a realistic picture of requirements.  As a practicality this means that there are no unimportant workers, no small responsibilities.  To think otherwise is to risk losing touch with the real situation faced by the organization on many fronts.

Print Page