Personal Responsibility

For Colleen, Personal Responsibility is more than keeping promises. It is about being someone others know they can count on.

Whether she is working with preschool children, supporting colleagues, or making commitments to family and friends, she believes that her word matters. If she says she will do something, she intends to follow through. That consistency has helped her build a reputation for being dependable, and over time, it has given her the confidence to contribute in meaningful ways.

One example came when she noticed that the morning arrival process at her school was creating unnecessary stress for young children. Rather than simply accepting the routine, she developed a new approach that paired preschoolers with middle school student volunteers as they arrived each morning. The idea was initially met with hesitation, but Colleen believed it would create a calmer start to the day and give older students an opportunity to serve as role models. After piloting the idea, the benefits became clear, and today the process has been embraced throughout the school.

What made that experience successful wasn't simply the idea itself. Colleen knew she needed to earn her colleagues' trust first. Rather than arriving with a long list of suggestions, she spent time listening, building relationships, and demonstrating that she could be counted on. Only then did she begin introducing ideas for improvement. She believes people are much more open to change when they know your intentions are genuine and the outcome will benefit everyone.

When Colleen describes what Personal Responsibility feels like, she doesn't talk about accomplishment or recognition. Instead, she says it feels authentic. Following through on her commitments allows "the real me" to come through, and that is what matters most to her.

Her advice is simple: don't try to take responsibility for everything. Choose commitments that reflect your values and your strengths. When you give your word, make sure it's something you can truly follow through on. That's how trust is built … one commitment at a time.

"When I follow through on what I've committed to, I feel like the real me is coming through."

- Colleen