Workplace values are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of responsibility and 3 ways you can practice responsibility at your office.
What is responsibility?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, responsibility refers to a “the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone”. It has also been referred to as “the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something”.
Let’s take a moment to let that definition sink in.
When placed into the context of a working environment, responsibility can take on both definitions at an office. Across both meanings, a certain management of duty seems to be a common ground.
As with any workplace value, we use responsibility as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual. How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice responsibility at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of responsibility at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice responsibility most effectively when we work as part of a team and complete tasks expected of us. It’s often through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle that we can upkeep our responsibility.
As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing responsibility at the office.
Completing your own duties
Completing your own duties is one of the first steps you can take to practice responsibility at the workplace.
Try your best to get your portion of the tasks done and sorted out in a timely fashion. This simple yet meaningful act suggests to others that you are on top of things expected of you. It also sends out the message that you are doing your part, while contributing to the team effort of your workplace.
With that being said, here’s a key pointer you can take note of with regards to the workplace value of responsibility. Set an agenda or a list of things you need to get done by the end of the day.
As you progress through your working hours, check items off your list as you complete them. This allows you to keep track of the things you are accountable for. It can also help you manage your time well.
When you’re able to complete your own duties punctually, you would be demonstrating the workplace value of responsibility in a simple yet efficient manner.
Taking ownership
When completing a certain task that is expected of you, one should strive to produce work of great quality. This will enable one to take pride in his/her own work. As such, the second way you can practice the workplace value of responsibility is by taking ownership of the things you do.
This applies to the instances where you may have made some mistakes. We are after all, only human. As such, practicing responsibility can be as simple as owning up to the blunders you made have made along the way. It’s not just the positives we should be chasing.
When we learn to accept our own mistakes, we will also be given the opportunity to ensure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes in the future. Being accountable for the things expected of us is one way to practice the workplace value of responsibility in the office.
Be proactive
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of responsibility at your office is by being proactive.
Firstly, ensure that you have gotten your part of the work done. Then, be proactive! Take the initiative to help your colleagues out with their workload when you can. This is one way to assist your team to reach your organisational goals more efficiently.
Keep a lookout for your work friends who seem stressed out or taking up work beyond their bandwidth. Help to take some of the weight off their shoulders and that’s how you can demonstrate that you are a part of the team too.
Alternatively, identify group tasks or projects that may take more time to complete. Then, get a jumpstart on these works! This will help to ensure that everyone feel like they are part of a team that contributes to a workplace collectively.
As such, being proactive is one other way you can practise the workplace value of responsibility at the office!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of responsibility. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice responsibility at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
