Responsibility that counts more

There are people who pretend that life has been unfair to them! Perhaps, some of you might believe the same based on a certain perception or experience you have. As a common case in point, some might think that others have been given certain responsibility or authority, which is beyond their ability of control. They wonder how this could be possible! Is it their luck or a responsibility being misplaced. Nothing can be changed or assumed about that, but to accept that fact as the way it is.

Irony of fate perhaps as those people think. In fact, it is all part of hidden secrets that life usually brings to human beings! Certainly, fortunes and fates have been bestowed by the Almighty Allah to all humans, regardless of their origins, religions, languages, interests and cultures. It is all about everyone's chance and hard work in life as some people are getting good fortunes and become wealthy while others are just means behind making others' dreams come true. Humans are paving each other’s paths to live their destiny, make a living and fulfill ambitions.

Speaking of this subject, this has been highlighted in the Holy Quran: "We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of the lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass".

Those who have been given command of others are not always superior or better. Rather, they are given authority; thus, should be more responsible and fairer too in whatever they do. As the saying goes “with authority comes responsibility”. As they have accepted taking authority, they must shoulder the responsibility of their team, job-related tasks and productivity. Otherwise, they don’t deserve to get the authority. Thus, they prove their disability to manage that position or mission.

If not being unfair to the authority that has been given, they could be called unaccountable and dishonest to such responsibility. Not only that, but they are being disloyal to the commitment anticipated from them. Accordingly, such kind of people in charge would be unreliable and unsafe to work or collaborate with; their teams, colleagues would not rely on them even.

The irresponsibility of those people could be formed in different ways, some of which is the unwillingness to take decision, misleading their teams and disability to handle tasks or solve problems. Unfortunately, today there are many of those who got a leading position by fortune or in return of scratching other’s back. Thus, they are unable to handle responsibility with such big authorities. Sometimes, they could be challenged by their colleagues who are more competent and responsible.

Therefore, how could an irresponsible and incapable person lead a team?! Always a blind person is unable to guide others and show them the way. Instead, his colleagues will be unsafe as they can’t rely on him or even feel the sense of belonging to his leadership. As Mother Teresa said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

Although people's talents in different spheres of life complement each other's needs, when it comes to leadership it should be given to a competent person. Leadership and authority should be given to people who are more responsible, reliable, wise and self-confident. Otherwise, the return will be only disappointment and distraction to the team! A leader is always the one who shoulders the responsibility, but not who becomes a burden!

Though all that happens is part of one’s experience in life and for their own good, it is not life, but humans who are not fair to one another. Hence, this is another way of how life is treating people and showing them the easy and hard way of perceiving things.