As I have mentioned before to you, my articles are as authentic as possible but not researched from the internet or any other sources. Most of them are inspired by people I watch and observe. As they say, from life’s university and taken from the decades of experience that I have been blessed with in multiple countries and multiple domains. Today’s article is inspired by an ownership practitioner my client Smt. Urmila Shukla (IAS) the Commissioner of the Madhya Pradesh Department of Archaeology, Archives and Museums in Bhopal. She just retired and this article is my tribute to her.
Now this is a broad definition of ownership in management, which I took some time to research. I always try to express my views that are useful to my readers. Research of the current perception of the mindset that I am expressing must be in the context of what, the world is thinking of that subject. So here goes “Ownership in management refers to an employee’s deep accountability, initiative, and dedication to treating company goals as their own, often termed an “ownership mindset”. It entails being proactive, solving problems without being asked, and taking responsibility for outcomes rather than just tasks. This mindset drives high performance, innovation, and commitment to organizational success”
Ownership is not just restricted to senior levels at work; the thinking process is inclusive. Also, when we move the frame to a Positive Ownership Mindset, we add various positive shades to our mindset of ownership all aligned to deliver positive results. Strangely we all have a degree of ownership in us, once you adopt this mindset, you optimise and maximise these inherent ownership qualities in you, add some more and then you are ready to roar and soar! Another key dimension to adopting this mindset, it goes beyond your professional sphere, and can help you take your family responsibilities, personal relationships and even hobbies to a completely different positive stroke.
Here are a few key actions you need to take to cultivate this turbo mindset-
Positive Ownership Mindset is not about me, myself and I
Although ownership is about owning, it’s not about self or self-obsession at all. The Institute of Leadership and Management US says, “Ownership includes being decisive, solving problems, delegating, abstaining from blame, taking responsibility and regular objective reflection on events and their own actions”. It’s actually ensuring that you take the complete responsibility of what you do, but also include the common purpose of the bigger task and collective success. Therefore objectivity, empathy and synergy become the main drivers, distancing yourself from the credit you will leverage as the professional and the person you are today. “Encourage ownership by sharing it. It’s not about what or how much you ‘own’, it is more about how much you are willing to give away to gain” Carmen Jigar.
Build trust through continuous positive moments of truth
Build trust by making your stakeholders experience high impact cycles of service and continuous positive moments of truth. Here the stakeholders are not only your superiors but more importantly your team members and colleagues. When you build trust in a sustained manner you evoke ownership, because of displaying who you are continuously and what real value you add. Proactive, accountability too. Volunteer whenever a credible opportunity comes up, become a problem solver rather than a fault finder. Create a culture of synergy to achieve the goals of your department or organisation. Let your actions speak louder than words
Establish an ownership mentality wherever you are
There are many more actions you can take over and above the two foundational actions described above. However just adopting the Positive Ownership Mindset in all sincerity will light up your path like the lights on the landing strip of the airport at night.
Just do what you say, practice what you preach and bounce ahead!
“Responsibility equals accountability equals ownership. And a sense of ownership is the most powerful weapon a team or organization can have.” Pat Summit
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