Taking your responsibility often means being a scapegoat for those who don't (after all, it's easier to comment than to command). To turn this around present yourself during sensitive issues as an incorruptable reporter (new scribbling-pad on your knee, ballpoint at the ready, attentive look): gather all the facts and interview them, showing honest interest in their points of view. Unaccustomed to all that attention they'll beg you to do the job, any job. In fact, there's no stopping them telling you everything they think you want to hear, as long as you keep giving it to them, and more, more, more...

PS: Collateral effect is a pile of great stories for your new book, entitled: "The 100 craziest things I ever heard".

(Jacco Mokveld)