[One Thousand Characters a Day] When Life Is Hard, It's Good to Start Studying <4>

Editor's Note"Why on earth do you go this far?" This is the most frequently heard remark by Professor Park Chi-wook, author of ＜When Life Is Hard, It's Good to Start Studying＞. His study, which began from a quirky curiosity, may seem useless at first glance. However, the time spent studying inevitably leaves traces in our lives. Because he studied the trees and flowers he passed by today, his monotonous commute becomes a time to meet different flowers every day and warmly greet trees from his hometown. Thanks to researching each ingredient and quantifying recipes, he can start his day pleasantly with the optimal breakfast. When harshly scolded by his boss, he can swallow his tears recalling the ancient Latin phrase 'respondeat superior,' meaning that if a slave makes a mistake, the master must compensate. Word count: 1045 characters.

There is a Latin phrase, 'respondeat superior,' which translates to 'Let the master answer.' It was a custom used since the Roman Empire, stipulating that if a slave caused harm to others due to a mistake, the master was responsible for compensation. This rule remains in modern English and American common law. The legal responsibility for problems arising during the execution of orders lies not with the subordinate who carried out the task but with the leader who issued the command.

Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, reportedly placed a sign on his desk that read 'The buck stops here.' In English, the phrase 'pass the buck' originates from poker, where passing the dealer button to another player means 'shifting responsibility.' Therefore, 'The buck stops here' means 'I do not pass the responsibility' or 'I take full responsibility.' It expresses the president's willingness to bear all responsibility for his decisions, aligning with the tradition of 'respondeat superior.' Such rational authority of a leader willing to take responsibility for their decisions is essential for an organization's success.

Unfortunately, there are too many leaders who set goals unilaterally and push them coercively. To them, members are merely 'tools' to be used to achieve objectives. They are like plantation owners releasing slaves into cotton fields or commanders sending soldiers to the battlefield. Members are like pawns who must achieve the given goals, making motivation impossible.

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Leaders who stand idly by are quick to evade responsibility when goals are not met. They even conveniently say, "It wasn't me." Authority held by leaders unwilling to take responsibility is irrational and prone to abuse. Their power is likely used to avoid their own accountability and protect their interests. Naturally, it is impossible for members to trust such leaders.

- Park Chi-wook, ＜When Life Is Hard, It's Good to Start Studying＞, Whale Book, 17,500 KRW