"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Alice Walker
"The greatest threat to humanity is belief that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan
Do you know what these two quotes have in common? They refer to the personal responsibility of each of us – in these cases, specifically the one we think we don't have and the one we reject.
When we think about responsibility, we can easily move to a philosophical level. It has many meanings, it affects many areas of human existence and we can think about it in a personal, professional context, but also, for example, environmental, ethical or economic. However, all its meanings have something in common. Responsibility is always ability to act conscientiously aware of the consequences of their actions on others, their consequences. It means the art of facing the consequences of one's decisions. Responsibility is a commitment - moral, legal or mental. It falls into the same bag as reliability, trustworthiness and moral strength. These are all strong concepts, usually with a very strong positive connotation - who among us wouldn't want to be like that? 😊 The good news is that we all can.
How one person changes the world
Each of us can be responsible environmentally. Minimize your negative impact on the environment. Reduce your carbon footprint. Manage waste responsibly. Don't buy fast fashion. Use organic products. Don't waste. Support sustainable initiatives and associations.
Each of us and every company can be responsible economic. Contribute to economic growth not only for profit, but also for the benefit of employees, communities and the wider society. Think about growth without exploitation. Buy from local suppliers.
Each of us can and should be responsible social. Support minorities in society, stand for what is right and fair. Do not ignore inequalities, discrimination and violence.
Each of us is personally responsible for oneself.
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In Impact Hub without responsibility or a blow
And in our team, the concept of responsibility resonates even more. We try to instill it in everything we do. For us, responsibility is not only about fulfilling personal and professional tasks, but also about realizing how our decisions affect our community, the planet, and the generations that come after us. Responsible action leads to sustainable solutions and a better future for everyone.
One of our principles states "If I like or don't like something, I'll say it or do something about it right away." But don't think it's easy. Having it on paper means nothing. We need to remind ourselves of this – each of us, but also each other.
"Didn't you like the tone he spoke to you in? Tell him, he might not even realize it and he'll be more careful next time."
"Do you want us to use only environmentally friendly cleaning products in the operation? That's a great idea, bring it up at the next operations meeting."
We bring each other back down to earth, slow down, and hold up a mirror to ourselves. And in doing so, we give each other the confidence and courage to stand up for what we believe is right.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
The truth is that every person has the ability to change the world, as soon as they realize that they have the power. The biggest lie is the sentence: “One person can’t change anything.” You know the answer, right? “Ten million people said it.” Each of us has the power to influence the future; if we want to see change, we must be the change we seek in the world. Responsibility is not about waiting for someone else to save us, but about taking an active approach. This is the ultimate responsibility of each of us if we want to contribute to a better world. Don't be silent, act, be a role model.
Are you curious about what it means to us at Impact Hub? Confidence, Courage, Sustainability, Cooperation or why it is important for us not to create assumptions?
