Groups that practice the Twelve Traditions strive to remain “fully self-supporting.” But if a group depends excessively on one member, is it really supporting itself fully? If one person contributes an outsized amount of time, money, or effort, what would happen if that person suddenly got sick? Would the group be able to keep going?

The same is true on the job: A workplace is not operating sustainably if it risks the burnout of a small number of people.

Today, if I am one of the people who keeps everything together–if I think thoughts like, “This place would fall apart without me”–I will examine my motives. Then I will ask someone if they’d like me to show them how to do something only I know how to do, knowing that when I share responsibility, I’m doing what’s best for me and others.

If I’m in the other category, if I’m depending on others a bit more than they depend on me, I will look for opportunities to lighten someone’s load.