I believe the original quote “The Buck Stops Here” was etched in a sign on the desk of President Harry S. Truman. It’s thrown around a good bit these days, but few leaders and politicians really adhere to its intended meaning. Finger-pointing and scapegoating are more vogue than the ethics of personal accountability.
You gotta dig that sense of responsibility, of total claim of culpability by the leader of the team, any team. It’s also, I believe, a great attitude to have when you are a team of one. Cheered or jeered, when you shoulder total liability for your actions, you take command of any situation. Truth is, it one of the greatest aspects of wilderness exploration and survival. Facing Mother Nature head-on, you either function or malfunction; in the end you have only yourself to either applaud or accuse. Whatever befalls me, I fell into it. Ridicule or Kudos, I own it. Very empowering.
Of late I’ve watched both Pope Benedict and Chairman Steele accuse when they might have accepted, criticize when they could have confessed, revile when they should have resigned. It’s not the fault of Satan or the New York Times. It’s not the fault of former RNC staffers Allison Meyers or Ken McKay.
Apparently it’s easier holding someone else’s feet to the fire. The ‘Buck Stops Beneath Me’ disease is all too prevalent.
Leaders of all ilk, would be better served with a few moments each day in front of the mirror and a few days each month alone in the woods.
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