I would go as far as arguing that taking responsibility and proactivity in a healthy way is almost like the holy grail. A bit of a statement, I know. However, through my work I have witnessed in others, but also in myself, that taking responsibility, accepting that we have a power of choice and actually doing something about it, as empowering as it can be, is also damn scary. Let’s face it, if we can, sometimes, we try to get away with blaming others, judging others and basically claiming that it’s not our fault.

“Being truly oneself involves accepting responsibility for the well-being of others.” E. Deci

This is why in leadership, team cohesion and conflict management, the recurrent them of responsibility and proactivity rises daily like the sun.

Let’s have a look at this. Taking responsibility is often confused with obligation, higher moral grounds or commitment. Yet, the basic idea of the matter is to make conscious decisions with all its consequences. To be “able” to “respond” (I would add: “authentically“). By doing this, we step into action and can be proactive:

Proactive people recognize that they are “response-able.” They don’t blame genetics, circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior.

“Our greatest freedom is the freedom to choose our attitude.”

Victor E. Frankl

There are countless books on responsibility, proactivity and choosing your mindset proactively. I decided to pick my Top 3 with slightly different focus:

A Man’s search for meaning, by Victor E. Frankl; an account of how adapting his mindset to the unspeakable harsh reality of the WWII in Auschwitz’s made the difference between surviving or not.

Circle of Influence, again Stephen Covey on 7 Habits of highly effective People. Habit 1: Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life. 

Leadership and Self-deception, The Arbinger Institute. 

Try our Worksheet with simple exercises on how to step up!