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About this quote

What does it mean?
Leaders must accept ultimate responsibility for their organization's failures.
In plain terms
The boss cannot blame others for big mistakes.
What can you take from it?
Take ownership of outcomes as a leader.

Where it applies

  • executive decisions
  • team leadership
  • crisis management

Putting it to work

  • accept public criticism
  • own mistakes
  • fix root causes

Questions to consider

  • Do you own your team's mistakes?
  • How do you handle failure?

Another view

Shared responsibility can be healthier than total blame.

More from John D. Rockefeller

  1. Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

    Permalink to quote #10
  2. Every right implies a responsibility; Every opportunity, an obligation, Every possession, a duty.

    Permalink to quote #12
  3. I believe it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience.

    Permalink to quote #9

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