PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, NOW MORE THAN EVER

Personal responsibility is a concept that is sometimes thrown around like some kind of slogan. But it’s a real thing, and in these trying times, it has never been more important.

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Sometimes, I see the concept of personal responsibility interpreted as everybody is on his own, or we get what we deserve, or something like that. This is actually a grave mistake, more like personal irresponsibility. We’re not on our own. We’re part of families, business organizations, neighborhoods, and communities, and we should never forget that our actions matter.

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In this public health crisis, it’s clear that our choices might harm other people, even inadvertently. Many people are particularly vulnerable, and they deserve our consideration.

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I’ve been surprised that there is not more discussion of personal responsibility in the news media. The public debate about how and when to re-open businesses can never really have an answer. There are just too many unknowns, and too much variation between locations, individuals, etc.

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But no matter what policy-makers decide, we can collectively make a big positive impact. Everybody must strike their own balance between paying the bills, caring for family, protecting the public, and maintaining our own physical and mental health. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but we can all choose to be conscientious, and that will help.

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There’s no particular list of actions to take, or views to hold. That’s not the point. What we need most is a mindset that acknowledges that our actions have a very real effect on the people around us.

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As a parent and a business leader, it’s extra important for me to model the values I care about. A lot of people are looking to me to set a strong example. It’s not for me to give myself a grade, but I want to thank my team at Alliance for doing their part. Despite the challenges of working from home, family stresses, and more, the team has continued to perform at a high level. I am grateful.

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For everybody else, let’s all remember to be considerate of others. It’s in our power to make things better, or worse.

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