Few phrases kill teamwork faster than this one: That’s not my job. It’s the battle cry of disengagement. The declaration that responsibility stops wherever comfort begins. And once it shows up, it doesn’t stay small—it spreads. Every time that phrase lands, the message is clear: ownership is negotiable. It chips away at collaboration, breeds resentment, and piles more weight on the shoulders of the people who do step up. Before long, you’re leading a team divided into two camps—the ones who carry the mission, and the ones who hide behind technicalities. Here’s the danger: if you let it slide, you don’t just lose productivity—you lose culture. Initiative disappears. Standards erode. The best people start questioning why they should give more when others are allowed to give less. In this episode, I’ll give you the one line that shuts down “not my job” attitudes on the spot. You’ll learn how to call it out without fueling defensiveness, redirect responsibility back to the mission, and make it clear that contribution isn’t optional when you’re part of a team. Because leadership isn’t about negotiating effort. It’s about setting the standard that keeps everyone moving forward together.
Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to
www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today!
Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time.
Connect with Brenda:
Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com
YouTube: @brendaneckvatal
TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal
Instagram: @brendaneckvatal
Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal
