Steve Jobs knew what distinguishes leaders from the rest: the feel for responsibility

Steve Jobs had high expectations for himself. He also had high expectations for others. And he definitely expected a lot, especially from people in a leadership position.

Steve Jobs told a brief story of every employee who had been promoted to Apple's vice president. He gave an elemental example of garbage in the office: If he had not been exported regularly, Jobs would naturally seek an explanation from the cleaner. "Well, the door lock was changed and I did not have the key to open." - the cleaner would answer in his defense, and it was argued.

His answer is reasonable, meaningful. This is an excuse that can be tolerated by understanding. A cleaner can not do the job if he does not have a key. As a cleaner, he is allowed to have excuses.

"When you are the cleaner, apologies matter." - Jobs said this to all of his newly upgraded VPs. "Somewhere between the cleaner and CEO of the company, apologies lose their importance."

"In other words (Jobs would continue) when the employee becomes a vice president, he or she has to reject all excuses for his failure." A vice president is responsible for every mistake that happened, no matter what he says.

The ability to accept such a level of responsibility is called "full control over your subordinates": Take full responsibility for the actions of your employees.

The "no excuses" rule when your leader is not just in the corporate world. When the delivery of an important part is delayed, it is your responsibility as a contractor to have considered all possible scenarios, to have clarified the terms and conditions with the supplier and to be sure it will arrive on time. But this rule also applies to your personal life. It is your responsibility to prepare for this journey, taking extra clothes or checking the route several times.

Many people attribute their failures to external causes - and especially to other people. If they succeed, other people have helped them, supported them. If they fail, others disappointed them, did not believe in them, did not help them. They were against them.

To some extent this is true because no one is doing anything entirely alone. Successful people, however, do not depend entirely on others. Successful people also take account of unpredictable factors. They hope for the best, but they are also preparing for the worst. They have clear expectations. They communicate - much. They follow things. They are mentors, guides and train. They lead and work with others, but they take the ultimate responsibility.

Why? Because the only thing they can control is themselves. They act in such a way that success or failure is entirely dependent upon them. If they succeed, they are the reason for that. If they fail, they take full responsibility.

The important thing is not to waste excess energy in hopes and worries about what can happen. Make every effort to make things happen. Be active, take the initiative.

As Jobs would say, "Excuses lose their meaning."

Never make excuses.

Never give reasons.

And never transfer responsibility.

Unless you direct that responsibility to yourself. And resolve this issue the next time. You will do everything possible for things to happen as planned. You will succeed!

Source: Business Insider

Photo: Flickr

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