Rights Vs Responsibilities: The Connect, Serve, and Ask™ Approach
In a world that often echoes with demands for individual rights, the conversation about responsibilities can sometimes fade into the background. While it’s essential to acknowledge our “networking” rights, it is equally important to embrace our “networking” responsibilities. The “Bill of Rights” mindset—where follow-through is for others, entitlements are expected, and tasks are deflected to someone else—can lead to ineffective relationships and missed opportunities. On the other hand, embracing a “Bill of Responsibilities” empowers us to commit to completion, delight in serving, and prioritize follow-up, leading to trusted relationships and impactful actions.
The Connect, Serve, and Ask™ methodology invites us to explore this balance by weaving in self-leadership as a guiding principle towards building trusted connections and driving positive change.
The “Bills” to Pay Close Attention To:
Connect: Building Meaningful Relationships with Self-Awareness
Connection begins with understanding oneself. Self-leadership requires introspection and self-awareness, enabling us to connect deeply with others by first connecting with ourselves. When we cultivate self-awareness, we recognize how our actions impact those around us and appreciate how our rights and responsibilities are interwoven with those of our communities.
By forging trusted relationships, we transcend the isolation of individual rights and embrace a broader spectrum of shared responsibilities. Through the lens of self-leadership, we develop empathy, encouraging us to consider the greater good and align our personal freedoms with communal duties.
Connect Reflection:
Self-Awareness and Impact: Reflect on how your self-awareness influences your ability to connect with others. Are you conscious of how your actions and words impact those around you? Consider how enhancing your self-awareness can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships, where mutual understanding and empathy are at the core.
Serve: Manifesting Responsibilities with Intention
Service is the manifestation of responsibility, turning abstract commitments into deliberate actions. Instead of relying on others to do the work, as the “Bill of Rights” might suggest, self-leadership encourages us to delight in serving intentionally. By gaining mastery over our abilities and motivations, we empower ourselves to serve others with grace, reinforcing the interdependence of rights and responsibilities. As we lead ourselves effectively, we inspire and uplift those around us, creating ripple effects of positive change.
Serve Reflection:
Intentional Service: How do you approach opportunities to serve others in your daily life or professional settings? Reflect on whether you serve with intention and grace, and consider how adopting a mindset of delighting in service can enhance your ability to positively influence and support those around you.
Ask: Engaging in Dialogue and Accountability
The “Ask” component of Connect, Serve, and Ask™ encourages ongoing dialogue, both external and internal. Self-leadership involves asking ourselves critical questions, seeking clarity on our values and actions. This inner dialogue promotes accountability, ensuring that our responsibilities align with our rights and the well-being of those we serve. Externally, asking fosters a culture of inquiry and openness, where responsibilities and rights are continually examined and redefined through communication. By seeking feedback and engaging with others, we foster mutual understanding and growth, echoing the principles of self-leadership through collaboration and support.
Ask Reflection:
Internal Dialogue and Accountability: How often do you engage in self-reflection to assess whether your actions and values align with your responsibilities? Reflect on your internal dialogue and consider how asking critical questions of yourself can promote personal accountability and growth.
Ultimately, the shift from a “Bill of Rights” to a “Bill of Responsibilities” transforms our approach to life and work. By embracing Connect, Serve, and Ask™, we cultivate relationships and actions that drive positive impact, not just for ourselves but for the communities we are part of, achieving a balanced and fulfilling existence.
Conclusion: Empowering Through Self-Leadership
The Connect, Serve, and Ask™ methodology, enriched by the essence of self-leadership, creates a dynamic framework for balancing rights and responsibilities. Beyond advocating for our rights, self-leadership challenges us to embrace our roles as responsible leaders within our communities.
Ultimately, the shift from a “Bill of Rights” to a “Bill of Responsibilities” transforms our approach to life and work. By embracing Connect, Serve, and Ask™, we cultivate relationships and actions that drive positive impact, not just for ourselves but for the communities we are part of, achieving a balanced and fulfilling existence.
Written by: Clay Hicks
“When you focus on the relationship and not the outcome, your outcomes become more predictable” ~ Clay Hicks
