Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs once outlined a stark contrast between accountability at different organizational levels, highlighting the shift in responsibility when employees ascend to leadership roles.
According to journalist Adam Lashinsky, Jobs would tell newly promoted vice presidents that while a janitor might have valid reasons for failing to complete tasks—such as a changed lock preventing access—executives could no longer rely on such explanations. "Somewhere between the janitor and the CEO, reasons stop mattering," Jobs reportedly said.
The message was clear: once in a senior position, individuals must accept full responsibility for outcomes. "You are no longer permitted to say someone else did something wrong," the article states. "You are now responsible for any mistakes that happen. You can’t give reasons anymore. You are the reason."
The piece argues that many professionals, even in leadership roles, continue to deflect blame through excuses like delayed billing, equipment failures, or economic conditions. "All you are doing is confirming you were promoted above your level of competence," the author warns.
Instead of deflecting responsibility, the article advises aspiring leaders to take ownership of problems, apologize for failures, and commit to solutions. "Stand up and say sorry—even if it actually isn’t your fault," the text urges. "Apologise on behalf of the team. Take it on the chin."
It concludes by emphasizing that true leadership requires proactive problem-solving and a willingness to bear the consequences of team performance. "Leaders look for the root causes of problems, and they resolve them," the article states. "They know they carry the can. They know they can’t pass the buck."
Sunny Bindra's book The Bigger Deal is referenced at the end of the original text.
