Returning to her office after a field safety inspection, Joanne noticed packaging littered all about her building’s main entrance. Without hesitating, Joanne collected the litter and disposed of it in a trash receptacle. Entering the office, a co-worker asked, “Why did you pick up that litter? We have custodial staff for that job. You could have called them.†Joanne responded, “I couldn’t just walk by and let that mess deface our attractive building.â€
Joanne’s experience is not only a story of taking personal responsibility, it illustrates a common technique of denying responsibility. No one watching Joanne pick up trash ventured outside to help her. They took time to observe and criticize, but not to participate.