The 21 Laws of Leadership: How to Develop the Qualities of a Leader

Chapter 18 Responsibility: You can never lead a team without the ball

Responsibility
Any success requires you to take responsibility... Various analyzes show that one quality that all successful people have in common is that they can take responsibility.

—Michael Korda, editor-in-chief, Simon & Schuster
Leaders can give up everything except "responsibility".

—John C. Maxwell

The Glorious History of the Alamo
In late 1835, a group of Texas rebels besieged the Mexican encampment in San Antonio (then part of Mexico).Before the end of the year, the Mexicans surrendered, returned south, and handed over their camp to the rebels.The camp was formerly a church called the Alamo.The action sparked a heroic episode in American history.The battle that took place in February and March of the following year reflected the courage and sense of responsibility of the rebel army, and it was even passed down as a good story.

In the Alamo at that time, it was only a matter of time before the American pioneers and the Mexican army would go to war.For the previous 25 years, the people of Texas had wanted independence from the Mexican government.Every time the Mexican army can arrive and suppress the uprising.But this time is different from the past.The camp is manned by 183 volunteers, including veterans and pioneers William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie.Their slogan is "Death to Victory".

At the end of February, thousands of Mexican soldiers under the command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna surrounded the Alamo.At that time, the Mexican army persuaded them to surrender, but the rebels would rather die than surrender.The Mexican army told them that if they resisted, they would be wiped out immediately.But the rebels were not moved at all.

Seeing that the battle was about to break out, the rebel army sent a young man to break out of the encirclement and ask for help from the Texas army.The young man's name was James Bonham.He slipped out of the camp in the dead of night and went to Goliad, 95 miles away, to call for help, but when he arrived in Goliad, he was told that there was no army there to rescue him.

接下去的11天里，墨西哥军队向阿拉莫展开进攻。1836年3月6日清晨，墨西哥军队攻占了这个老教堂。激烈的战斗过后，183名起义军士兵无一生还。但是他们同时也拉上600多个墨西哥士兵与他们陪葬。

So what happened to James Bonham, the young man sent to Goliad?Bonham could have gotten away with it.But his sense of responsibility was very strong, he did not choose to escape, but returned to the Alamo, rushed through the enemy's position, stood, fought, and died together with his comrades.

Although the American rebels were defeated at the Alamo, this battle became a turning point in the Mexican-American War. "Remember the spirit of the Alamo" became the slogan used by the US military to unite people against the Mexican army in later battles.Two months later, the people of Texas achieved independence.

what is a sense of responsibility
In American culture today, it is difficult to find the sense of responsibility embodied by James Bonham and his cohorts.People are now more concerned with their own interests than with a sense of responsibility.My friend Haddon Robinson had his own quip about the state of society: "If you want to get rich, invest in victims because that's the fastest growing industry in America right now." He refers to It is now millions of people in the United States who have made their fortunes by testifying, interviewing, treating, insuring, and counseling victims.

Good leaders never see themselves as victims. They know their own situation and keep themselves accountable—not blaming parents, spouses, children, the government, bosses, or co-workers.Only by bravely facing the problems encountered in life can they prove that they have the ability to carry the ball enough to lead the entire team.

Take a look at the following qualities exhibited by responsible individuals.

1. They get the job done

In a study of entrepreneurially successful millionaires by Dr. Thomas Stanley of the University of Georgia, one quality they shared was that they worked hard.Someone asked a millionaire why he worked 12 to 14 hours a day.He replied: "I have worked in a company for 15 years to understand that in society, working 8 hours a day like people can barely make ends meet. Working more than 8 hours a day is what you do for your future. investment.” Nobody can do the least and at the same time do the most.

So how do you stick to it?That requires people to think of themselves as their own bosses.If you want to achieve more and create prestige among your followers, embrace this idea so that you can go further and further on the road to success.

2. They are willing to walk the extra mile

Responsible people never say, "That's not my business." They are willing to take on whatever the organization needs them to do.If you want to be successful, put the organization first and the individual second.

3. They are willing to strive for excellence
Excellence is inspiring, and people who want it and are willing to work hard to get it done are usually responsible.When they give everything, they feel very peaceful inside.Success expert Jim Rohn said: "Stress comes from not doing your best." Make it your goal to pursue high standards, and you will naturally feel responsible.

4. They are able to be independent of the environment
One of the best qualities of responsible people is that they can achieve their goals. In the book "An Open Road", Richard L. Evans (Richard L. Evans) wrote: "Finding a responsible person who can achieve goals and pay attention to every detail is the key to success." It’s like finding something that’s priceless. You’ll understand that once they’ve accepted a task, they’re going to do it seriously and productively.” If you want to be a leader, speak with your actions.

Self-reflection: How responsible are you

Gilbert Arland once offered this advice: "When an archer misses his mark, he turns around and reflects on the problem." Missing the bull's-eye is not to blame.If you want to improve your hit rate, you must start with yourself.

In terms of responsibility, what is your "hit rate"?Do you always get things done in the eyes of others?When the situation is critical, will people's eyes turn to you?Are you known for your pursuit of excellence?If you are not performing at your best, you may need to develop a greater sense of responsibility.

A “prescription” for increased accountability

Here are some things you can try to increase your sense of responsibility.

1. Persevere
Sometimes in the face of difficulties, you can't succeed because of your perseverance.The next time you find yourself about to miss a deadline, lose a deal, or have a plan that doesn't go through, stop and think about how you can fix it.Don't be bound by the rules, can you work hard all night without sleep?Can you ask a colleague to help?Can you hire someone or get someone to volunteer to help?Creativity can sometimes bring responsibility into your life.

2. Raise the bar
If you're not performing well, maybe it's because you've lowered your standards.Take a look back at your own life and see where you have fluffed.Then set a higher standard.This helps you raise the bar for yourself in pursuit of excellence.

3. If a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools

If you find that your standards are high enough, your mentality is good enough, and you've been working hard, but you still can't achieve what you want, then maybe you need a new set of gear.You can improve your skills through advanced studies, reading books, etc., or you can find a senior mentor to help you.Do your best to be better in your field.

making excuses is not a good idea

An inmate escaped from the Butte County Jail in California.When he was arrested again later, he explained to the prison guard: "I was practicing pole vaulting, but I fell too close to the wall. When I regained consciousness, I kept running, trying to find a way back. But I was not familiar with the place, and I was lost. When you found me, I was far away." A man seldom thinks how bad his excuses are, unless he has heard the excuses of others.

(End of this chapter)