One of the observations I have of people high in the Responsibility Talent Theme is that they will often assume responsibility for things are needed to be done, which no one has stepped up to do it. This can somethings cause them to take on more responsibilities than they can handle and result in poor delivery. And poor delivery feels extremely terrible to someone with high Responsibility.
I was coaching someone high in the Responsibility Talent Theme once, and the gentlemen had a slightly adverse response to taking on responsibility. I thought that was curious, and upon probing deeper, my ah-ha moment came when he asked “What if I couldn’t do the job well and couldn’t deliver on it?”
Because of the psychological ownership that a person high in Responsibility has, it is important that whatever is done, and done with excellence! Could a fear of his inability to deliver, coupled with his Responsibility Talent Theme, be keeping him form assuming responsibilities that would actually make him happier and more engaged?
I think the answer is yes, and it certainly feels like being stuck between a rock and a hard place!
“One of the Key Fears of the Responsibility Talent Theme is:
The inability to deliver well on something that he/she is responsible for.”
Importance of Addressing the Fear
Two of the needs of someone with high Responsibility are:
- To actually have ownership over something. (Try not giving any responsibilities to this person, and actually forbid them from taking on any responsibilities and see what happens).
- To know that they have met the mark in the delivery of the task.
It seems like in this particular case, the fear of not meeting need #2 kept him from meeting need #1. To allow this to carry on for a longer amount of time can be a huge detriment to his morale and well-being.
3 tips to address this fear
If you are experiencing this in your own life, here are some tips that may be helpful:
- Have confidence in your strengths
Sometimes, this is nothing but a confidence issue! Look back on the talents and skills that you have and access if this was a real fear or an irrational fear. Fear is also known as “False Experiences Appearing Real”. If your fear is irrational, find strength in your past experiences, or consult with a close friend or colleague to get your needed morale boost and encouragement. Maybe all you need is a cheerleader. - Develop the necessary skills, or partner someone
Sometimes the fear is a rational, and there is a gap that prevents you from delivering well. Consider what skills and knowledge that you need to acquire to do this task well, and also who could help you in this. Remember to also take your other talents into consideration when deciding how you go about accomplishing the task, and what new skills and knowledge to acquire. - Be willing to step out of the comfort zone
There is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone! Be willing to step out and do something new or even challenging. This will help build your capacity to take on even bigger and more meaningful roles in the future.
Have you experienced this in your own life? How did you manage it? Share your experiences in the comments below.
