8. Develop a Sense of Responsibility among your People

"The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority." — Ken Blanchard

The leadership tenet, "Develop a sense of responsibility among your people," highlights the significance of team empowerment and cultivating a sense of ownership and accountability.[1] This principle serves as a reminder to leaders to invest the necessary time in developing a culture where team members feel accountable for their actions and decisions and have a stake in the team's and organization's success. The development of a sense of accountability among team members depends on empowerment.

A leader will be more likely to have a team that is committed to the success of the company if they give their team the freedom to make decisions and accept responsibility for their job. Giving team members the freedom to execute their responsibilities independently and with the tools they require will enable them to take responsibility of their work.

Building a sense of responsibility among team members also depends on encouraging ownership. The likelihood of having a team invested in the success of the organization will increase for a leader who can foster an environment where team members feel they have a stake in the team's and the organization's success. This entails giving team members the chance to assume leadership roles, appreciating and rewarding their achievements, and enticing them to actively contribute to the team's and the organization's success. Another important component of this philosophy is accountability.

A leader will be more likely to have a team that is committed to the success of the company if they are able to hold team members accountable for their actions and choices. This entails establishing clear standards of performance and holding team members accountable for upholding them, as well as giving them feedback on their work and holding them accountable for their decisions and actions. Additionally, it's critical for a leader to foster a culture where team members are free to take risks and make errors. This may be done by fostering a positive and encouraging environment where people can express their thoughts and opinions without worrying about the consequences.

The notion of "Develop a sense of responsibility among your people" is an important part of leadership that highlights the necessity of empowering team members and building a sense of ownership and accountability. A team that is invested in the organization's success and is guided to success by a leader who embodies this value is more likely to thrive. Leaders may empower their teams to take ownership of their work and invest in the success of the team and the business by fostering an environment where team members feel accountable for their actions and decisions.

_______ [1] 11 timeless principles of leadership (US army 1948). (n.d.). Academy Leadership | Developing Leaders Who Deliver Results. https://www.academyleadership.com/news/201406.asp?fbclid=IwAR2IeDbfZfjUGdtmTzoRNxPxbII1N9UPbCdGyWn3yY6dbt1fFc4ynb1sqUw