Thursday, January 23, 2014

RB#2: /Roll for blame

Boys,

In WoW raids, there were some groups with which we would /roll for a fun way to assign blame because there was no particular person that caused the wipe, but it happened anyway.
We are having a hard time identifying who is actually "responsible" or "accountable" for "accidents" and "misunderstandings".
As I approach this from the perspective of 'teacher' I like to first consult a dictionary to see if the words literally (*cough cough*) still mean what they used to. I like dictionary.com.
re·spon·si·bil·i·ty
   [ri-spon-suh-bil-i-tee]  Show IPA
noun, plural re·spon·si·bil·i·ties.
1.the state or fact of being responsibleanswerable, or accountable for something within one's power,controlor management.
2.an instance of being responsibleThe responsibility for this mess is yours!
3.a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsiblethe responsibilities of authority.
4.a person or thing for which one is responsibleA child is a responsibility to its parents.
5.reliability or dependability, especially in meeting debts or payments.

ac·count·a·bil·i·ty
   [uh-koun-tuh-bil-i-tee]  Show IPA
noun
1.the state of being accountableliable, or answerable.
2.Education.a policy of holding schools and teachers accountable for students' academic progress bylinking such progress with funding for salaries, maintenance, etc.

ac·ci·dent
   [ak-si-duhhttp://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pnghttp://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngnt]  Show IPA
noun
1.An undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm,injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap: automobile accidents.
2.Law. such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.
3.any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.
4.chance; fortune; luck: I was there by accident.
5.a fortuitous circumstance, quality, or characteristic: an accident of birth.

mis·un·der·stand·ing
   [mis-uhn-der-stan-ding]  Show IPA
noun
1.failure to understand correctly; mistake as to meaning or intent.
2.a disagreement or quarrel.

I think you three have a negative association with all of these words because whenever they get used I minimally get rolled eyes.

None of these are "bad words". (Heck, they have a lot more than four letters!)

In fact, to gain the independence that you want, these are the words you MUST master.  A good resource could Judge Judy. A good question she asks is, "Who else SHOULD be paying for this OTHER than you?"

My impression is that 'responsibility' generally refers to the person while 'accountability' refers to the source of financial restitution.

'Misunderstandings' are never committed by only one party yet often it only takes one person to eliminate them. Whether you misunderstand or are misunderstood, it is your responsibility.

Responsibility for an 'accident' could be the person who triggered it, the person who set it up, or could even fall under the header 'Act of God'. If your RV is destroyed by a hurricane, are you going to sue God? Good luck! Do your best to prepare and insure your property, but recognize that sometimes life isn't fair and you just have to pay up.

David, it is my responsibility that you didn't do as I asked. That's my starting point; however, you need to understand that it is ALSO your responsibility.  This time it was no big deal, but we need to use this minor issue to establish habits that will remain true with bigger issues. 

Life didn't come with a rule book, but we might as well take some notes along the way. ADHDers seem to work better with defined rules and protocol. Let's see how these two new protocols work.

MISUNDERSTANDING PROTOCOL

-> Has a misunderstanding occurred?
     No:  Don't use this protocol.
     Yes: 1. Identify involved parties.
          2. Identify whose fault. (HINT: look at step #1)
          3. Identify versions of misunderstanding.
          4. Eliminate versions that don't make sense
             to EVERYONE.
          5. Restate all valid versions and discuss
             until conclusion is found.

ACCIDENT PROTOCOL

-> Has an accident occurred?
     No:  Don't use this protocol.
     Yes: 1. Triage people.
          2. Triage things.
          3. Clean up.
          4. Brain storm with others
               a. Determine accountability($) /
                  responsibility(person)
               b. Potential
                  Reoccurrence Reduction Recommendations.
          5. Implement solution to reduce odds of reoccurrence.

GAMBATTE!

-mom

No comments:

Post a Comment