You Really Can Do Whatever You Want To Do
Just don’t pretend that your choices don’t have consequences, and please don’t whine when you are held accountable for your choices. If you don’t like the consequence, make a different choice next time.
The world I live in is not void of consequences. You are free to behave as if the world you live in is inert, but please don’t expect me to collude with your delusion because that would be a disservice to both of us.
You really can do whatever you want to do, and you really are responsible for your choices. Ignorance is not an excuse.
About the Author: Bret L. Simmons
Welcome to my blog! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section of my posts. I publish all constructive, non-anonymous comments. 
Thanks Bret. Absolutely true. I recently talked about improving the effectiveness of information security awareness programs by clearly linking consequences to behaviors. It’s amazing to see how quickly people become engaged when they have a personal stake in the outcome.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I think it is responsible management. good for you, Paul! Bret
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Bret,
Doesn’t this post assume that the “just world hypothesis” is true? Sometimes people receive bad outcomes for good acts, and vice versa, right?
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 9:30 am
very interesting to me that you mention the “just world hypothesis,” Michael. I was reading about it just yesterday in Jeff Pfeffer’s new book on Power. I’m really not familiar enough with the hypothesis to comment on how it might apply here. My point is more in line with the self-serving bias. Thanks! Bret
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