There are two kinds of people. People who take responsibility and those who dodge it.
Those who dodge it are replaceable and those who take responsibility, become indispensable.
See the following example:
A pest control man shows up at my house this morning to spray for bugs. If he knocked first, I didn’t hear it. Eventually I see a white pick-up truck with Ameri Care Services written on it sitting in the driveway so I head outside to see what’s going on.
When I open the front door the man is folding up a piece of paper to put in the storm door. Turns out it’s a bill, for spraying, and he’d like to spray our basement too (how generous). I told him, politely, I wouldn’t be paying the bill.
I told him, truthfully, I’ve never heard of his company, never signed up for his company and that I didn’t want anything to do with his company. I told him the companies policies were bad and sneaky at best. Showing up at peoples homes and leaving them with a bill. Yeah, really respectful of the customer.
He told me I could call the number on the paper and tell his boss about the bad policies. I told him I would, and told him he should probably talk to his boss too.
His reply, “I can’t do that. I work for the guy. I want to keep my job.”
The truth is, if he doesn’t tell his boss, he’ll eventually lose his job anyway. Sad but true. For one of two reasons. The first is that the policies will stay in place, they’ll develop a horrible reputation and lose all their customers. Or, the second is that the boss will find someone else who will follow the rules and practices, only at a cheaper wage. And this guy will get fired. The cheapest cog gets the job…when the job requires cogs.
People need you to the level you’re willing to take responsibility and do things in your unique, thoughtful, artistic, and hard working way.
