Fear of responsibility due to poor ability

In recent years, one of the important tasks of public service units is to participate in designing technical and economic norms. Norms create the basis for the governing body to place orders. This is a requirement for public service units to operate in accordance with regulations and to be facilitated for healthy development. However, many units complain that it is difficult to do so, while there are still a few units that can do it. This is just an example of how, based on the general mechanism and policies of the Party and State, some units can produce specific products while many units cannot. Looking more broadly, also based on the general policy and similar natural conditions, some localities have created breakthroughs in development, while the majority have not. This difference demonstrates the sense of responsibility and capacity of the leadership and management team, especially the role of the heads of units and localities.

There are some units that handle their work very thoroughly and smoothly, the agency is stable and developing, and the workers' lives improve. But when it comes to coordinating with other units to solve common tasks, they are not in sync because of different thinking, methods, and speeds of solving tasks. One side is thorough and does everything thoroughly, while the other side is negligent, afraid of responsibility, and has to probe the other person's thoughts in everything they do.

The situation of asking for opinions is also worth discussing. In some units, work goes smoothly, cadres do their jobs properly, and do not need to ask for opinions on work within their authority to resolve. But there are cadres, agencies, and units that often ask for opinions. They ask for opinions from leaders and departments for everything they do, while there are things that do not need to be asked for opinions because they are within the authority and responsibility of that individual or organization. That is certainly the "disease" of fear of responsibility.

Fear of responsibility also leads to avoiding work, "passing the ball" to others...

The fear of responsibility disease was raised at the ongoing National Assembly session at an “epidemic” level. According to delegate Nguyen Huu Thong (Binh Thuan), one of the two fundamental causes of the fear of responsibility disease is the limited capacity of officials, or simply put, ignorance, so they do not know how to make the right decisions.

About a year ago, the fear of responsibility and fear of making mistakes in Hai Duong was also quite serious. Many things were left behind and stagnant. It was dissected at many meetings, forums, and public opinion... However, from the exemplary, resolute, and thorough direction of the leader, and the response from many levels and sectors, changes have been created, reflected in specific results. Most recently, when announcing the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2023, Hai Duong increased 15 places compared to the previous year, ranking 17th in the country.

However, frankly speaking, the fear of making mistakes and fear of responsibility still exists among a number of cadres, party members and key cadres. This is also something that needs to be addressed in the coming time.

Fear of mistakes and responsibility is not only due to subjective reasons of incompetent officials, but of course there are also undeniable objective reasons. These are many overlapping legal documents; many unfeasible and outdated regulations, creating risks for executors and businesses; complicated and overlapping procedures leading to prolonged investment preparation time... These problems have been recognized from the Central to the local level, and public opinion expects them to be quickly resolved in the coming time to promote the development of the country and homeland, bringing a better life to the people.