Passengers vs Drivers

1). What factors have lured us into thinking like "victims" in our country? When something goes wrong, what is it that makes people prone to file a lawsuit instead of taking responsibility?

I think that people view themselves as the ”victim” of a situation before considering anything else because American culture is very individualistic in nature. I think that because we constantly push ourselves to achieve status and power, we have come to think that we are invincible and can do no wrong. There are always two sides to every story, but I think that people can get so caught up in the moment and focus primarily on how they were wronged that they do not stop and think about how their actions or words might have affected the person in question or lead to some of their behavior. Furthermore, I think that people have a hard time hearing criticism about themselves and struggle to acknowledge their mistakes. When something goes wrong, we like to look any which way but back at ourselves. Not only do we make excuses and blame other people, but there are people who will even go as far as to file a lawsuit instead of taking responsibility. In this case, I think pride is what really stands in the way of compromise and accountability. Pride can be so strong that it may cloud someone’s judgment or impede them from doing the right thing, such as owning up to their faults and mistakes. 

 

2.) What is the difference between those who take responsibility and those who don't? What are symptoms or evidence of a person who assumes responsibility? 

People who take responsibility are able to move past their mistakes, learn from them, and use their experiences to grow. Additionally, they are able to have the hard conversations in life and are not afraid to be real about themselves, their words, or their actions. They own up to the problems they have caused, acknowledge when they have messed up, and become aware of their weaknesses so they can improve for the future. Those who do not take responsibility continue to find an outlet for blame and excuse to move the spotlight away from themselves and their wrongdoing. It is more difficult for people who do not hold themselves accountable to have mature conversations. Moreover, it is harder for them to learn from their mistakes because they are always neglecting their faults and ignoring the problems they create. Evidence of a person who assumes responsibility can be in the form of an apology, a conversation about compromise, a conversation about admitting the issues at hand and the issues they caused, a change of habit or routine, a change of character, a lesson learned, and much more. 

 

3.) Think of an environment where you are more of a "passenger" than a "driver." What makes you act like a passenger instead of a driver? In your personal opinion, do you think it's okay to occasionally be a passenger? If so, please explain why so. 

I am more of a passenger than a driver when I am on the receiving end of a conversation, listening to someone confess their actions and mistakes, or processing information given to me in order to give them back advice and guidance. In these situations, I am being a passenger because it is not my turn to talk, and the situation or series of events are not about me. I am there to listen and lend a helping hand or shoulder to cry on not to direct the conversation or deliver a proposal. I think it is okay to be a passenger sometimes. Being a passenger is letting someone else take the wheel for a change. As drivers, we have to learn when to take a break, for no one can drive 24/7 seven days a week. If drivers never stopped to be passengers, then they would not be great leaders because they would constantly be overworking themselves and not stopping to relax, learn or take directions from others, or have fun.