Was Your Dad Dumb Also?
When I was in high school, my dad was easily one of the dumbest people I knew. He did not know anything about the real world and had no clue about life. A week after my eighteenth birthday, I moved 200 miles away from home and within weeks, the transformation in my dad and how smart he became was amazing. Almost overnight, he went from the dumbest person I knew to the smartest. Being on my own so far away from home was borderline overwhelming but Dad’s insight always led me in the right direction and eased my mind.
Years later when I became a father, one of my kids got into a situation I had no answer for. Then my dad told my son,
“It may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.”
It was exactly what my son (and myself) needed to hear. What a powerful yet simple message that I have carried with me ever since, both personally and professionally.
His message has been extremely helpful throughout my career. Many times, situations happen that are out of our control. The boss does not need excuses or finger pointing, they need results. Help create a solution without looking for praise, be a leader even when that is not your role, help the team succeed without expecting anything in return. The value in these traits is immeasurable.
“It may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.” Thank you, Dad.
Vice President Client Services and Performance Improvement
9 个月As a 2Lt in the Air Force, I was taught to never bring a problem to my boss without a solution. The solution was my responsibility, not my boss's. It didn't matter if the problem was my fault or someone else's; I better have a plan of action for dealing with it or some COAs for my boss to consider. When my daughter brings a problem to me, before I give advice, I almost always ask, "What are you going to do about it?" I'm trying to ingrain this mentality in her at a younger age than when I learned the lesson. I'm sure my mom and dad tried to do the same for me. Unlike Dave, I wasn't smart enough to listen, even after I moved away and had time to reflect. I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. ??
I definitely have my mom’s voice in my head a lot of the time. Here are a few quotes that come to me often: “You can do anything for [fill in the number] minutes.” “Do SOMETHING, even if it’s wrong.” And “I love you.”