Driving Responsibility

This week one of my teenagers is taking their drivers test.

I recently saw a social media post where someone wrote that when they were taking Drivers Ed the instructor would point out every cyclist on the road and have the same interaction with the driving student:

Instructor: What do you see?

Student: A cyclist.

Instructor: And what are they?

Student: My responsibility.

I love it! As hotly debated as road safety and infrastructure so often is, we would all be much better off if every road user, especially those operating powerful vehicles, would take responsibility for the safety of others.

And before any kind of debate starts, I’m taking this idea somewhere other than road safety.

My friend Jonathan Wilson often talks about taking responsibility as the first action of leadership.

The leaders I admire exemplify this approach. They look at a situation, whether it’s positive or negative, and say “My responsibility’.

-They don’t blame problems on predecessors. (Though I generally allow a 6 month grace period for a new leader to figure out what surprises they may uncover).

-They accept critique for the actions of their followers. (A retired military officer friend says “On my watch, on my head”).

-They deflect praise to their whole team while owning failure, even beyond their direct involvement.

While many prominent leaders may demonstrate remarkable skill for avoiding accountability, admirable leaders see it as welcome and essential.

Of course this can go too far. I’ve been guilty of over identifying with my work and with results. There are limits to what healthy responsibility assumes. But that’s for another time.

In the meantime I will continue asking my son what he sees and reminding him of his responsibilities as a driver. And reflecting on what it means for me to take responsibility in my own life.