Do you ‘pass the buck’?

Back in the days of the old and wild west, poker became a popular saloon game. It also became a problem because poker players thought little of trying to cheat their tablemates.

The dealer had the greatest opportunity because he could manipulate the cards, engage in the infamous “dealing off the bottom of the deck” move, or skillfully peek at the cards he dealt other players.

To avoid fights over whose turn it was to deal, they passed an object to the next dealer. Usually it was a knife. It became known as the buck, short for buck horn, which most knife handles were made of.

Over time, the meaning of the phrase “passing the buck” changed. Instead of legitimately moving a responsibility to the right person to handle, it became known as a way to pass off a job or responsibility to someone else. That person was stuck with it whether or not he had the time or skill required.

President Harry Truman’s famous statement that “the buck stops here” was viewed (and still quoted) as a way to state that, as President, he took responsibility for whatever was happening in the country. He had courage.

In his recent book, Leadership Courage (a five-star book at Amazon), David Cottrell asks, “What are you responsible for at work? You are responsible for the success or failure of all activities you are associated with … for everything you can control or influence.”

His statement was aimed at people in leadership roles, but in one situation or another each one of us has to lead.

Cottrell doesn’t mean we have to do everything our self. Delegating a task, project or routine to another person, one who is qualified to do it, is a good move.

It’s far different from “passing the buck.” But when we’re the dealer at any level, we should make sure the one we’re dealing to has a chance of success.