--- title: Authority and Responsibility description: Seth Godin writes about what he learned from his father and why it matters... image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/responsibility-452.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/authority-responsibility#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [Tips & Tricks](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/tips-tricks) # Authority and Responsibility 2 min read [** Seth Godin ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/seth-godin) SETH GODIN is the author of 18 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow. In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth founded both Yoyodyne and Squidoo. His blog (which you can find by typing "seth" into Google) is one of the most popular in the world. He was recently inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor in 2013. Recently, Godin once again set the book publishing industry on its ear by launching a series of four books via Kickstarter. The campaign reached its goal after three hours and ended up becoming the most successful book project ever done this way. His newest book, What To Do When It's Your Turn, is already a bestseller. My dad taught me many things, insights that I use every single day. One of the most important, and most difficult was also really simple: Authority and responsibility aren’t always paired together. ![responsibility-452.jpg](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/responsibility-452.jpg?width=452&height=172&name=responsibility-452.jpg) Authority sounds fabulous. Authority means you get to tell people what to do. It means you get instant respect, a crown that causes others to defer to you. “Didn’t you hear what I said,” “Don’t you know who I am,” and “Don’t talk to me that way” are three classic responses to insufficient respect in the face of authority. The thing is, we don’t often get the authority we seek. At work, certainly, we crave the badge that will make other people do what we want, the ability to get things done our way, the right way, immediately. Responsibility is a whole different game. Responsibility is the willingness to take the blame. It’s where the buck stops. It’s the person who raises his hand when no one else will, and it’s the humility to own up. **Authority is given.** **Responsibility is taken.** It’s quite difficult to get someone to give you authority, and even those who have it believe that they don’t have enough. There’s always a struggle to create more compliance, to garner more instant apparent respect, to get people to jump when you say jump. But responsibility? Responsibility is there for the taking. It’s yours if you want it, if you can handle it, if you’re man enough, father enough, human enough to say, “I got this,” without excuses. **As you’ve probably guessed, fatherhood is completely and totally, 100%, about responsibility.** And, if you’re responsible enough, sometimes you get authority. I lost my dad last year, and I miss him every day. The example he set for my sisters and me continues to this day. I think he’d be pleased to know that you’ve taken a moment to think about his lesson as well. Thanks for stepping up.  This post is from Seth Godin. Seth is the author of 18 books that have been bestsellers. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books *[Linchpin](http://sethgodin.com/sg/bio.asp#bl_linchpin), [Tribes](http://sethgodin.com/sg/bio.asp#bl_tribes), [The Dip](http://sethgodin.com/sg/bio.asp#bl_the_dip)* and [*Purple Cow*](http://sethgodin.com/sg/bio.asp#bl_purple_cow). His blog is one of the most popular in the world. His newest book, *[What To Do When It's Your Turn](http://www.yourturn.link/)*, is already a bestseller. Date Published: 07/19/2016 Last Updated: 01/09/2018 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! 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