Given the high-level demands for accountability and responsibility among those who embrace Best Practice Five leadership, it is also important (even critical) that they are provided with support from others in their organization or community. This support is provided freely and graciously on behalf of the compelling vision of the future and the shared commitment to the greater good.

The support is also given because the leader exhibits a deep level of care for the welfare of those with whom they work and embraces a transcendent cause to which all members of the organization or community are dedicated.

Responsibility

Responsibility implies that we have obligations and expectations for our behavior. As the dictionary defines it, being responsible means being accountable. As Sandstrom and Smith (2005) note, responsibility is the ABILITY to respond correctly and meet expectations. All humans are given certain responsibilities. We are responsible to our human authorities—and most importantly to our family, members of our community to ourselves. A person will do all they say they will do, or all that is expected of them. If this sense of responsibility is sustained and expanded to all aspects of our life, then we are said to be operating with integrity–accompanied by commitment and perseverance. These commodities are rarely found in today’s world—but are sorely needed.

Sandstrom and Smith (2005) push responsibility a bit further:

“As spiritual leader we become responsible shepherds. We feed the people, care for them, serve their needs, and lead them in straight safekeeping paths. In the Torah (Old Testament) Yahweh offered to be this shepherd just as the Israelites were about to be disciplined for their disobedience and were to spend 70 years of captivity in Babylon. It was largely the fault of those who were involved as the “shepherds” of Israel. They went astray. All of the Israelites suffered as a result – not just the leaders. This is a sobering example of the responsibility that leaders often assume as Shepards of Responsibility regarding the welfare of the people they are leading. Yet, one of the greatest gifts and blessings one can receive is to be a responsible leader—and then, in turn, have the opportunity to teach one’s followers about responsibility.”

This is quite a challenging perspective on responsibility. The impact of influence (which we discussed regarding Best Practice 3) makes it even more imperative that we are guided by shared values and a compelling vision.

Expectations

When we lead others, we are responsible not only for our own behavior but also, ultimately, the behavior of others. A leader’s job is to be sure that appropriate expectations are set and met. Challenging commitments are made. Peak performance is encouraged. These expectations should be accompanied by the recruitment and allocation of appropriate and adequate resources. We can’t expect people to succeed if they are hampered by a lack of time, people or equipment.

In order for a leader to be clear regarding expectations, they must provide constructive (and appreciative) feedback to members of their organization or community. They must reward and provide consistent guidance. We expect others to show responsibility—however, this requires that we are responsible for providing all they need to do their job–including, perhaps most importantly, serving ourselves as an exemplary model of responsible servanthood on behalf of the compelling future and greater good.