Nothing changes while you're waiting for something to change. Choice without action is merely intention. Don't just hope for change, take responsibility for creating it.
You can't complain if you're unwilling to move. Sometimes, however, moving forward takes courage. When an idea challenges the status quo, resistance is inevitable. The key is not to retreat when that happens, but to stay informed, listen carefully, and build support one step at a time. I've learned that people become believers when they can see progress for themselves.
That was certainly my experience advocating for and implementing a paperless HR environment. The concept was unfamiliar to many, and skepticism was natural. Success came not from forcing change, but from demonstrating it. By moving deliberately, proving what was possible, and building consensus along the way, doubters gradually became supporters.
Throughout my career, accepting responsibility has often meant making difficult choices and then having the courage to act on them.
When the question of unionization arose prior to the opening of Mirage, there were strong opinions on every side. While many favored remaining union-free, the research suggested that working collaboratively with Nevada's primary labor organization made sound business sense. Through honest negotiations, we established a partnership that benefited both sides and ultimately set a standard for progressive labor-management relations.
Later, when large-scale staffing challenges forced us to rethink traditional recruitment practices, we pioneered the hiring of first-time felons seeking a genuine second chance. Making that happen required collaboration with legal, security, and regulatory stakeholders. Rather than accepting the limitations of conventional thinking, we focused on finding a responsible path forward. The result was a win for our organization, a win for families, and a win for the communities we served.
In these examples, I accepted responsibility for leading significant change, but I also accepted the risks that came with it. My reputation and career were tied to the outcome. I mention that not to boast, but to make an important point. Ownership is more than having an idea. It is being willing to stand behind that idea when the outcome is uncertain.
People are far more likely to support change when they see that you are personally committed to its success. When you are willing to accept accountability, others become more willing to do the same.
The lesson is simple: stay positive, remain flexible, build consensus, and keep moving forward. Not every effort will succeed, but fear of failure should never become an excuse for inaction.
Be proactive. Be active. Take ownership of the change you want to see. Starting today.
Octavia Spencer (born 1970): American actress and author. She is the recipient of an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
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