75. Seize Responsibility
Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.
—George Washington Carver
“I sure wish people would take responsibility around here!” one of the attorneys in Scott Richardson’s law firm said to him. “It seems like the people I’m managing are ‘pass the buck’ artists.”
“Well, have you talked to them about what responsibility is?” Scott replied.
“Not really,” the attorney said.
“Why not play a little word game with me for a second. I will say a word, and you tell me the first word that pops into your head. Fair enough?”
“Oh boy, here we go.”
“No, this will be useful. I promise.”
“Okay, shoot. What’s the word?
“What’s the first word that comes to mind when you hear the word responsibility? ...
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