Letting Go of Excuses and Embracing Responsibility in the Workplace

His wisdom can also be applied to the workplace. It is well known that employees who exude effective behaviours can become real assets to organizations and businesses. Especially living in a fast-paced society, it is important for workers to be able to handle the demands, resources, projects, and tasks that are being handed to them with competence and confidence. One of the most common and yet very desirable trait to have as an employee is learning how not to make excuses and take ownership of what s/he says, thinks, and does.

People enjoy working with those who have this trait. Employers like it even more because it helps create a sense of trust. Workers who accept responsibility, rather than complain, are seen as reliable, confidence, and competent.

Raise your hands if you've ever made excuses for things at work? I certainly did in the past. It is easy to push the blame onto something or someone else. It is often unconsciously done so because it's tempting to ignore facing our part in creating or co-creating consequences. We do not want to get in trouble and most of all, we certainly do not want to look bad in front of our colleagues, supervisors, and bosses. Yet, making the decision to not own up to things can lead to consequences that can hurt you, your interpersonal work relationships, and career.

Excuses lead us to take a 'victimized' position in the workplace. Things seem to happen to you rather than you contributing to them. Self-victimization often encourages defensiveness and sometimes, a sense of helplessness. Continuing such an ineffective behaviour can attract other people who victimize themselves or those who feeds on the victimization of others. That is why employees with negative behaviours seem to often gravitate toward each other since they become used to putting themselves in that position and feeding that energy.

However, when you begin to take ownership of the things you think, say, and do, people will trust your ability to take on responsibility at work. This leads to real success. The more you embody responsibility, the more likely you will take on new challenges, and personal and professional growth. Furthermore, you will have more chances of attracting more positive support and be placed in leadership and management positions in the workplace.

So stop making excuses and start embracing responsibility. It is easier said than done, but the growth that comes along with doing so is well worth it.