Passing the Buck

We’re all familiar with the idiom, “Passing the Buck.”  According to wikipedia.org, buck passing or passing the buck is the action of transferring responsibility or blame onto another person. The expression is said to have originated with the game of poker, in which a marker was used to indicate the person whose turn it was to deal. If the player did not wish to deal he could pass the responsibility by passing the "buck", as the marker came to be called, to the next player.


Unfortunately, in today’s climate, it is a common practice to avoid accountability by passing the buck.  Leaders on all levels, should be prepared to take the good with the bad – take the credit when things go as planned and/or organizational goals are achieved and take responsibility for the results when the organization misses the mark for whatever reason.  


Accountability is vital. As leaders, we must stop pointing fingers and passing the buck.  The things, good, bad, and indifferent, that have occurred over the years are behind us.  Those things left unresolved need to be handled, no matter how or why they originated.  Perhaps you have inherited some of the thorns that plagued the former management team or administration.  Nevertheless, you have to commit that the "buck stops here".  Work together, communicate clearly and in a transparent manner, collaborate with stakeholders in the best interest of the organization, and stop passing the buck!