This is a story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.
… and it was Everybody’s fault.
Actually, the last line was not in the original story. I added the last line because it would appear to be the natural end to the story. Yes, the natural end to a story of a task gone wrong is always about someone being blamed and taking the fall for the wrong.
The more time is spent on finding a person to be blamed, the less productive an organization becomes. The only goal achieved from such unproductive exercise is the passing of the proverbial buck ad infinitum.
When problem arises, one should be concerned about how to solve the problem, not who to be blamed.
Wouldn’t it be better if the story ends with:
… and Everybody decides to do what Everybody should have done in the first place.
So, when anybody asks you whose fault is it, tell them that you are least interested in finding a scapegoat and more concerned about solving the problem.
