Drinking Cup

Courage

To do the right thing even when it’s not easy, fun, or popular takes a lot of courage. If everyone tells you to do one thing, and you know that it’s wrong or unwise, you have to be brave enough to stand up for what you believe. Sometimes it’s extremely difficult to do that. Many people find it a lot easier to just go with the crowd, even when the crowd is acting in a way that doesn’t mesh with their personal values.

Responsible behavior means always being true to what you believe is right. When you waver on your own values, you lose credibility with both yourself and others. The more you stick to what you know is right, the easier it gets. You’ll find it easier to trust yourself to make the right decisions. And, people who trust themselves are people who can be trusted by others to make the right call.

Another thing that takes courage is standing up to people when you see them doing something wrong or harmful. We’ve all heard about people who get beaten up while a crowd of onlookers stands by and does nothing. How does this happen? It happens because people are afraid to confront each other, even when they know it’s the right thing to do. It takes courage to tell your coworkers that socializing, rather than doing their share of the work, is wrong. It takes even more courage to make sure they don’t get away with it.

Acting responsibly takes courage. Responsible, courageous individuals stand up for what they believe is right, even if it’s not easy or fun.

To Act or Not to Act: That Is the Question

Even when you know what it means to act responsibly, it isn’t always clear what the “right” thing to do is. Sometimes, it’s complicated and confusing. When your personal values—loyalty and honesty, for example—come into conflict, there may not be just one right way to go. And sometimes, even when it’s clear what you should do, the choice to do the right thing may be really hard. Let’s look at some work situations where acting responsibly might prove challenging.

Too-Fast Food

You just started working for the Wendy’s near your house. It’s not too bad—your boss is cool, you get liberal meal benefits, and you can choose your own schedule. Lately, your friend has been hanging out a lot while you’re working. One day when your boss isn’t there, he starts hinting around that you should give him some free fries or a cheese burger. You really like your friend, and you don’t want to be a jerk, but is it responsible to give him the food?

Responsible behavior is all about gaining control of your own life. If you know the right thing to do and you do it, no one has to look over your shoulder. You’re able to take care of yourself and of those around you. You’re able to do good things that have a positive impact. That’s what people mean when they talk about personal and social responsibility.