Given the job competition today, employers want more than individuals who are at the top of their class. They want people who are responsible. What is the use of an employee who’s brilliant but doesn’t perform? Promoting responsibility is a major concern for leaders today.
What is responsibility? Responsibility is doing your duties, answering for your actions, and being accountable. This means achieving both your own and your boss’s objectives, and producing positive results. Responsible employees are dependable, honorable, and committed to doing their best.
Responsibility can be learned. Ways to promote self-responsibility include:
Clearly outline the employees’ roles. Make sure all your employees know their duties and to whom they report. It is hard for them to be responsible if they don’t know their expectations.
Set specific, measurable goals that both you and they know are reachable.
Make the goals concrete and precise. Also, agree upon deadlines so there is no confusion.
Connect the goals to the vision. This implies that employees know the vision and mission of the organization. Be sure they do!
Set check-in times. At least twice a month, meet with your employees to ensure everyone is on task and focused on their goals.
Empower your employees. Let them make some decisions. Your job is to refine their decisions, not just override them.
Give recognition and praise. It is important to applaud your employees. If they did a good job, let them know and do it as soon as possible to their completing their tasks.