Consequences and Responsibilities

1. Consequences and Responsibilities

2. Overview • What are the consequences of taking or avoiding responsibility? • What are the advantages of personal accountability? • What are the consequences of irresponsibility? Chapter 4, Lesson 3

3. Overview • How do defense mechanisms affect your actions and decisions? • How can you take responsibility for your actions and decisions? • What is responsibility and leadership? Chapter 4, Lesson 3

4. Quick Write In two or three sentences, describe a person you think has true leadership ability. The person can be a friend, an adult you admire, or a well-recognized leader. List some examples of this leader making a tough decision—even if it was wrong—and taking responsibility for his or her actions. Chapter 4, Lesson 3

5. Taking Versus Avoiding Responsibility • Leadership is about taking responsibility for your actions and decisions • Responsibilityis the quality of being • trustworthy • reliable • accountable for your actions and decisions Chapter 4, Lesson 3

6. Taking Versus Avoiding Responsibility • Responsibility requires accepting the consequences of your actions and decisions • Consequences are the outcomes, or results, of your actions and decisions • Taking responsibility is not always easy • It requires maturity and patience Chapter 4, Lesson 3

7. Make a Decision • Sometimes it’s difficult to know which decision is the right one • At that point, make the best decision you can, based on the information you have • Sometimes you will make a bad decision • When that happens, explain the reason for your decision and admit your mistake Chapter 4, Lesson 3

8. Poor Leaders Offer Excuses • They look for any way they can to shift the blame to someone or something else • They seek a scapegoat—someone who is made to take the blame for others • They refuse to take responsibility for what they’ve done Chapter 4, Lesson 3

9. Advantages of Accountability • Accountability is a form of honesty • You show that you are reliable • You show people they can trust you with responsibility and authority • You reassure others that you care about them Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

10. Advantages of Accountability • You show that you are consistent—people know what to expect of you • You demonstrate that you are a careful and thoughtful decision maker • You increase your ability to achieve your goals Chapter 4, Lesson 3

11. Consequences of Irresponsible Decisions • You hurt other people’s feelings • You harm or endanger others • You harm yourself • You lose people’s trust Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of Clipart.com

12. Consequences of Irresponsible Decisions • You hurt your ability to achieve goals • You can cause damage to property • You can get into trouble with the law Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

13. Defense Mechanisms • Why do some people handle their mistakes well, and even learn from them, while others don’t? • The difference often lies in a person’s defense mechanisms • In order to learn from a mistake, you have to admit that it was a mistake Chapter 4, Lesson 3

14. Displacement Repression Rationalization Projection Acting out Denial Defense Mechanisms • Reflect on what you know about the defense mechanisms people use when they feel anxiety, stress, or pressure • As you may recall, defense mechanisms take a variety of forms: Chapter 4, Lesson 3

15. Defense Mechanisms • Many people are unaware that they are using defense mechanisms • They employ them over and over when confronted with similar situations Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

16. Defense Mechanisms • To break out of it, you must understand yourself well enough to know when you are resorting to the same defense mechanisms • If you understand yourself, you can analyze your reactions and escape the cycle Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of Clipart.com

17. Taking Responsibility • Think before you act • First, try to anticipate the outcome of each decision you make • Second, if you feel uneasy about a decision in any way, review the facts Chapter 4, Lesson 3

18. Taking Responsibility • Third, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help • Finally, don’t expect that you will always make the right decision Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

19. Taking Responsibility • Don’t be afraid of failure • Failure is one of the best teachers • Everyone learns from his or her mistakes—the key is to try not to repeat them Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

20. Leadership and Responsibility “If I had to come up with one word to define leadership, I would say responsibility.” Air Force Gen Curtis E. LeMay Being Sworn in as Chief of Staff Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of USAF Museum

21. Leadership and Responsibility Think of a good coach— • Does he or she accept responsibility for the team’s performance, discipline, and improvement? Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of Clipart.com

22. Leadership and Responsibility • A good coach doesn’t single out individual players and blame them for a loss • The coach knows that winning (or losing) is a team effort Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of Comstock Images

23. Advantages of Taking Responsibility When you take responsibility, you: • Gain the admiration of your peers and those you lead • Earn the respect of your parents, teachers, coaches, and other leaders • Build confidence in your own abilities • Prepare yourself for future challenges • Learn to trust your instincts and judgment Chapter 4, Lesson 3

24. Review • Leadership is about taking responsibility for your actions and decisions • Responsibilityis the quality of being trustworthy, reliable, and accountable for your actions and decisions • Consequences are the outcomes, or results, of your actions and decisions and they can be good or bad Chapter 4, Lesson 3

25. Review • Accountability is a form of honesty • In order to learn from a mistake, you have to admit that it was a mistake • People who hide behind defense mechanisms have a hard time doing this • Developing a positive, productive attitude about your life requires accepting responsibility for your actions and decisions Chapter 4, Lesson 3

26. Review • Try to anticipate the outcome of each decision you make • If you feel uneasy about a decision in any way, review the facts and your feelings regarding it • Don’t be afraid of failure • Failure is one of the best teachers • When you show that you can handle the responsibility others have given you, they will trust you enough to give you more Chapter 4, Lesson 3

27. Summary • What are the consequences of taking or avoiding responsibility? • What are the advantages of personal accountability? • What are the consequences of irresponsibility? Chapter 4, Lesson 3

28. Summary • How do defense mechanisms affect your actions and decisions? • How can you take responsibility for your actions and decisions? • What is responsibility and leadership? Chapter 4, Lesson 3

29. Next • Done—consequences and responsibilities • Next—group and team dynamics Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of Clipart.com