When I explicitly say "I assume the risk and the consequences," something profound happens: both internally (inside myself) and externally (inside my team). It’s an act of ownership and emotional leadership. It transforms the entire atmosphere of my company. Do you want to know how it works? What It Does to You as a Leader Saying it out loud forces you to: Embrace reality fully: You are making a conscious, adult choice, not just drifting with events.
Take back agency: Instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances, you recognize yourself as an active creator of outcomes.
Strengthen your resolve: Once you truly "own" the consequences, your decision-making becomes more focused and decisive. Doubt weakens. Embrace reality fully: You are making a conscious, adult choice, not just drifting with events. adult choice, not just drifting with events Take back agency: Instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances, you recognize yourself as an active creator of outcomes. Strengthen your resolve: Once you truly "own" the consequences, your decision-making becomes more focused and decisive. Doubt weakens. Don’t pretend you're invincible. Carry the weight without blaming others later. How It Liberates the Team When the team hears you say "I assume the risk and the consequences," it triggers several liberating effects: Reduces Fear: People stop being paralyzed by fear of making mistakes. They feel someone strong is holding the ground for them.
Encourages Initiative: When your people know they won't be blamed for honest attempts, they think more creatively, act faster, and solve problems better.
Builds Trust: Trust flows upward when people see that their leader protects them.
Promotes Responsibility: Ironically, when people see you carrying weight willingly, they often voluntarily take more responsibility themselves, not because they are forced, but because they are inspired. Reduces Fear: People stop being paralyzed by fear of making mistakes. They feel someone strong is holding the ground for them. Reduces Fear: Encourages Initiative: When your people know they won't be blamed for honest attempts, they think more creatively, act faster, and solve problems better. Encourages Initiative: Builds Trust: Trust flows upward when people see that their leader protects them. Builds Trust: Promotes Responsibility: Ironically, when people see you carrying weight willingly, they often voluntarily take more responsibility themselves, not because they are forced, but because they are inspired. Promotes Responsibility: hey often voluntarily take more responsibility themselves In short: the team's minds and hearts get freed from survival mode and can move into creation mode. Why It's So Rare and So Powerful Why It's So Rare and So Powerful Most leaders are tempted to half-own risks, saying "we" when it succeeds and "you" when it fails. True ownership is rare, but when it’s real, it: Elevates your authority (you become respected, not just obeyed)
Creates loyalty (people want to fight for leaders who fight for them)
Builds an unbeatable company culture Elevates your authority (you become respected, not just obeyed) you become respected Creates loyalty (people want to fight for leaders who fight for them) Builds an unbeatable company culture Saying "I assume the risk" is an act of service to your mission and your people. Final Reflection Final Reflection I do not try to hide my fear or avoid it. I acknowledge it, I assume it, and even so, I make my decisions. When you assume risk consciously and publicly, you teach by example that taking bold action matters more than avoiding all mistakes. That, more than any technical skill, is what builds great companies, great teams, and great legacies. Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash Birmingham Museums Trust Unsplash

This story contains new, firsthand information uncovered by the writer.

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The Power of Saying "I Assume the Risk and Its Consequences"

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