Communication – Personal Development – Business

As I watch the news relating the stories of the inappropriate actions of Larry David and read the article in the New York Daily News, I am struck by the lack of personal responsibility and the poor choices people make.  And did you pay attention to his reaction? Even on HBO?

How did we become a me, me, me, society? What happened to conflict resolution skills and personal development? Why do people feel entitled to act and say any way they want?

There seems to be no real penalty because the behavior has become acceptable. Celebrities and people in the public eye have a responsibility that few appear to acknowledge. Their behavior, the way they conduct themselves, the unacceptable statements they make, and how they conduct their personal life, become the standard and role model for many others.

The entitlement attitude in the workplace is killing success and business. Nobody owes anybody anything. If you, or people in your life, need an instruction manual, please check out The Reactor Factor: How to Handle Difficult Work Situations Without Going Nuclear, where steps are outlined to take control … even if you are laid off or “down on your luck.” Check out the book trailer <http://taylormediagroup.com/marsha/reactorfactor_amazon.mov! I want everyone to have hardcore skills for responding instead of reacting … and have fun doing it!

Anyone can prevent getting sucked into all the ugliness of the workplace and stop the negative spiral. Can you:

§  Manage those spoiled brats in the office?

§  Dump your own entitlement attitude.

§  Get a grip on office politics, and the grapevine?

§  Shift your focus if you are laid off and need to find a job?

§  Manage anxiety when you give a presentation?

§  Use social networks to grow your business?

§  Apply survival tools for the meetings that are time wasters.

So the choice is to react or respond. How about personal responsibility? Do you choose to knee jerk or use the personal development skills that get you to the success you desire?

And if you feel so compelled, could you please pass on this message about my new book, The Reactor Factor? Thanks so much!  Marsha

Tags: accountability, entitlement by Marsha
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As I watch the news relating the stories of the inappropriate actions of Kanye West, Serena Williams, Joe Wilson, Mark Sanford, and the oldie but goody John McEnroe (who thinks Serena’s outburst was OK), I am struck by the lack of personal responsibility and the poor choices they make. And did you pay attention to their reactions? How did we become a me, me, me, society? What happened to conflict resolution skills and personal development? How did we become an entitlement society?

There seems to be no real penalty because the behavior has become acceptable. Celebrities and people in the public eye have a responsibility that few appear to acknowledge. Their behavior, the way they conduct themselves, the unacceptable statements they make, and how they conduct their personal life, become the standard and role model for many others.

It’s not surprising that so many people routinely show off their poor behavior, are involved in affairs, drink too much, make excuses and care so little about what they say in public. I think it is high time that these public voices woke up to their responsibilities. I think it is high time for everyone to wake up to their own personal responsibilities. If anyone wants to be applauded and receive acclaim for their work (whatever that might be) they must take responsibility for the role model they provide.

I’m interested in what bothers you about people not taking personal responsibility?

Tags: entitlement, personal responsibility by Marsha
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Why do you think entitlement ruins our economy and do you think personal responsibility ends the spiral of this madness?

What do you think?  Where do you stand?  If you post a comment on the blog I will send you a download of The CEO of YOU: Leading YOURSELF to Success by Marsha Petrie Sue.

If you are really serious about taking control of your job and making more money, you have to take 100% responsibility for everything.  The first step in turning yourself and your job into the perfect situation is to dump any thinking about what others “owe” you. “Why do my employees have such an entitlement mentality?” is a question often asked in business today? And I’ve learned it is not just the Generation Y’s who create this image.  The Baby Boomers and Gen Xer’s are as much at fault as any other workforce participant.

I think many people have become spoiled brats. Some blame it on generational differences, others say it’s society gone soft and still others claim there is a disappearance of the work ethic.  It is a combination of all of these.
And companies and employers can blame themselves:
•    They have not set clear connections between job performance and compensation.
•    All employees are rewarded the same.
•    Automatic raises are given because of tenure.
•    Companies have poor or inconsistent communication.
•    Come-and-go-as-you-please work schedules are acceptable.
•    Dress codes are not enforced.
•    Annual raises of 10 percent to 20 percent of base salary are automatic.
•    Regular grant of stock options are expected.
•    Full coverage health insurance costs are part of the entitlement.
•    Employer-subsidized soft drinks, bagels, coffee and more are expected.

I was speaking to Mortgage Brokers and Loan Officers on Monday.  The president of the company agreed with an analogy I had been told by another company leader.  The group was whining and certainly displaying difficult behavior when he chimed back with this:

•    So, when your numbers are terrific it is because you are such a fabulous sales person and so good at your job?
•    And when the bottom fell out of the Real Estate Market and many of the financial markets, it was the economy’s fault for your numbers tanking?
•    Then why did 20% of the team continue to make their numbers and succeed?

My belief is that a certain percentage of people have learned to be resilient in their jobs and make the decision not to be spoiled brats.   The toxic behavior of a whine and cheeser (see Toxic People) is easy and is reserved for the lazy that don’t take the time to figure out what does work and what they should leave behind.

What is your perspective?  Do you fall into the Spoiled Brat frame or have you figured out how to pull yourself up and move forward no matter what?

Remember Vilfredo Pareto and the 80/20 rule? I also think this is why 20% of the investors today are investing in the financial markets and 80% are whining because they overextended themselves and often times because of their greed!

What do you think?  Where do you stand?  If you post a comment on the blog I will send you a download of The CEO of YOU: Leading YOURSELF to Success.

Tags: Gen X, Gen Y, accountability, entitlement, professional development by Marsha
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