I was presenting last week to a truly international audience and towards the end of the session I was demonstrating the power of taking personal responsibility.

To help the group remember I used the now infamous phrase ‘If it is to be, it’s up to me’. However it didn’t quite work that way. If you’ve seen me present you’ll know I often miss off the last word in a sentence and invite the audience to complete it for me. ‘The secret isn’t in the knowing, the secrets in the...’ ‘doing’ they shout and everyone’s happy.

I told the group I had a nine letter phrase to help them remember the key to personal responsibility and with great gusto I announced; ‘If it is to be it’s up to…’ and then I pointed to the audience waiting for a chorus of ‘me’. I was slightly surprised when over half (the loudest half) shouted ‘US!’

‘No’, I explained with a smile, this is personal responsibility. So I went for it again, ‘If it is to be it's up to…’ This time I pointed at myself and… you guessed it, they shouted back in unison ‘YOU!’

At this point I did what all the best speakers would do and told my audience the correct answer.

Here’s a simple way to think about responsibility… the ability to respond; let’s make it personal, YOUR ability to respond.

Here’s the challenge. Personal responsibility usually comes with accountability. In other words, even when we take on responsibility there are plenty of people who would like to see us stumble and fall. That’s ok, it’s just their way of dealing with the fact that they won’t pick up the gauntlet.

Those who take on responsibility are given benefits that far outweigh the sneers of the cynics. Here are five:

- Respect. It can’t be bought but it can be earned and taking personal responsibility is one of the fastest ways to earn it.

- Confidence. Hands up who’d like more confidence? That’s everyone then.

- Experience. You really do have some wonderful experiences when you’re up for it. So just go for it! Build your experiential muscles.

- Self Belief. You know you can achieve anything when you have this.

- Leadership. I don’t know about you, but I want to be led by those who’ve been there, done it and proudly wear the t-shirt.

The next time there's an opportunity to ‘step up’ and take personal responsibility, just go for it - take on the challenge.

Be Brilliant!

Michael

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