Reporter: What were you thinking when you ran into the burning building to save that child?
Firefighter: Just doing my job.
Tenant: How could you evict us?
Sheriff: Just doing my job.
Parent: Why did you help our son and tutor him after school and on weekends?
Teacher: Just doing my job.
Regulator: How could you continue after knowing your company was dumping illegally?
Employee: Just doing my job.
Just doing my job is a utility answer. It provides both a cover and a deflection for real or faux humbleness. Equal parts “not my responsibility” and “oh, thank you for noticing that I took responsibility.”
Doing your job in either case is about responsibility.
Your company and customers need someone who takes responsibility. Your team needs someone who takes responsibility. Your community, Church, and book group need someone who takes responsibility. This world need people who take responsibility.
Are you just doing your job?
