You see an important task that needs to be done, but it isn’t your responsibility. Should you do it? For some, the answer is “Of course!” It’s good to be a team player and pitch in whenever possible. For others, the answer is a resounding no, not necessarily due to laziness but rather fear of reproach for stepping on another’s toes.
When to Take On Tasks That Are Outside of Your Job Description
Research from first responder incident simulations suggests it’s not always a good idea.
July 08, 2021
Summary.
The phrase “stay in your lane” is commonly used to affirm the importance of doing your assigned tasks and only your assigned tasks. If you see an important task that needs to be done that isn’t your responsibility, should you do it? Before you decide whether to switch lanes, consider the authors’ research, based on observations and recordings of first responders completing mass-casualty incident simulations. They’ve identified three essential lessons to consider. First, be mindful of the environment. Second, beware of crossing team boundaries. Finally, remember to update your team and leaders. You don’t necessarily need to stay in your lane — just be sure to merge both out of your lane and back in appropriately.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Leading People. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What you need to know about being in charge.