“When a team takes ownership of its problems, the problem gets solved. It is true on the battlefield, it is true in business, and it is true in life” — Jocko Willink
Leadership is not just about making decisions and giving orders, it’s about taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences. Great leaders are not afraid to admit their mistakes, learn from them, and lead by example. One of the defining traits of exceptional leaders is their willingness to embrace accountability. They understand that their decisions and actions directly impact their team and organization. Instead of shifting blame or making excuses, they take responsibility for their choices, both good and bad. By doing so, they foster a culture of accountability within their team, encouraging others to take ownership of their actions as well.
If you are not familiar with what taking ownership means, in short it means owning all aspects of your life. Doing what needs to be done because you expect it of yourself as ownership springs from the intrinsic motivation of pride and engagement. Taking ownership starts with developing a belief or habit of mind that you are accountable for the quality and timeliness of an outcome, even when you’re working with others. Whatever sphere of influence you have on your work, you are to take 100% ownership of your work and upholding your Core Values and Pledge.
Don’t make excuses when you fall short or something goes wrong. Don’t blame others. The results you achieve begin and end with you. When relying on another person or department to complete a task, don’t relinquish your responsibility. It’s not acceptable to say, “well I sent an email to ______,” or “I am waiting on (fill in the blank) to get back to me.”
Blaming others for lack of results, or making excuses as to why great things just “can’t happen to me” are traits that make me cringe when I hear and see them. It’s probably rooted in the fact that I came from crap and both me and my wife had every odd against us coming into our adult lives. I’m not saying that I am at where I want to be fully in my life and leadership, I’ll always be a work in progress. But I didn’t get to where I am today by being passive, or making excuses when things didn’t work out, and I am committed each and every day to being better today that I was yesterday. For my family, my Team, and for anybody that looks to me for coaching and guidance to help them grow in their journey.
Keep this saying in mind in everything you do: “you are committed to your results.” Whatever results you achieve reflect your commitment level to those results. Own your life, don’t just accept it! 80+ percent of people in the world sit back, make wishes, and wait for life to happen. I can assure you that no successful plan has ever included that strategy! Taking ownership for your life, your actions, your mistakes, and your growth puts you in a place where you are always able to learn and often able to win!
Lets tie a bow on this read with these couple questions.. Who is responsible for what happens in your life and your leadership? Do you believe you should take personal responsibility? Or do you feel as if there are circumstances outside of your control and there’s little or nothing you can do about it?
Here is one thing I know.. The hardest person to lead is yourself! Most people miss that concept. If you are struggling with getting to where you want to be in life, chances are you are not modeling and leading with taking ownership in yourself and that cascades right into your Team. Taking ownership of your actions as a leader is not a sign of weakness but rather a display of strength and integrity. It sets the tone for a culture of accountability, learning, and growth within the organization. By embracing accountability, learning from mistakes, leading by example, building trust and respect, and modeling and encouraging daily growth, leaders can create a positive and thriving work environment. My prayer and desire for all of us leaders is that we continuously strive to be leaders who take ownership, inspire our people, and drive our organizations towards continued success. Remember, true leadership begins with the willingness to take responsibility for our actions!