By Annita Katsikopoulou
Broken relationships are never easy to face, whether personal or professional. But one question often lingers: How much is it up to you to mend it?
When a relationship breaks—whether at work or in life—it’s tempting to wait for the other person to take the first step. We tell ourselves: “I tried, but they didn’t respond.” Or, “They should apologize first.” This kind of thinking might feel justified, but it leaves us powerless to change the situation.
In the pursuit of a breakthrough, this mindset won’t cut it. Breakthroughs demand commitment, responsibility, and a willingness to be the cause of change.
The Power of 100%
In our methodology, responsibility means something very specific. It’s not about blame, shame, guilt, or burden—it’s about ownership. Being responsible means asking:
– How am I cause in the matter? How did I create this?
– What can I do to fix this, no matter what the other person does or doesn’t do?
Responsibility is never about the other person. It’s not conditional on their actions, apologies, or willingness to engage. Responsibility is 100% on us because that’s where our power lies.
The Path to Repair
Fixing a broken relationship begins with the willingness to do self-examination. Start every reflection with “I”:
– I didn’t communicate clearly.
– I didn’t ensure we were aligned.
– I didn’t follow up to maintain connection.
– I didn’t address an issue when it first appeared.
This isn’t about blaming yourself—it’s about identifying what was missing in your actions or approach. With this clarity, you can take deliberate steps to rebuild the relationship.
Once you’ve examined your responsibility, take the initiative to create space for a meaningful conversation. Use these principles to guide the discussion:
– Stay curious: Listen to understand, not to respond. Ask questions that uncover the other person’s perspective and allow them to feel heard.
– Own your part: Acknowledge any mistakes or actions that contributed to the conflict. This creates trust and opens the door for resolution.
– Focus on outcomes: Discuss what a repaired relationship could look like and the benefits for both sides. Highlight shared goals or a common purpose to build alignment.
A Commitment to Make It Work
Responsibility isn’t passive; it’s active. It’s a commitment to make the relationship work, no matter the obstacles. This might mean initiating a difficult conversation, showing up differently than you have in the past, or staying persistent even when it feels uncomfortable.
Does this mean the other person’s feelings don’t matter? Of course not. It means you respect their feelings while working to make things right. While this doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome, it opens up possibilities where none previously existed.
Conclusion
Breakthroughs require us to go beyond the business-as-usual mindset of “meeting halfway.” Instead, they require the courage to take full ownership. When we do, we unlock new possibilities for connection, collaboration, and trust.
By taking 100% responsibility and engaging with curiosity, honesty, and focus, we give ourselves the power to create change—not just in our relationships, but in every area of our lives.