It has been a hot minute since I graced everyone with my ideas. some of you are happy about it. Sorry, not sorry to disappoint.
I jumped into doing a series about various activities I would associate with the successes I've had, the next one is ownership. Let's get to it, shall we?
Ownership
Defined: "the act, state, of possessing some -thing-"
As it applies to what I preach about here often, I want to focus on the first part: "the act". I see value in going over how I put action into the term. How I act to own my goals, my projects, programs, and needs.
Some history
Professionally, I "grew up" in the Navy. On the ship everyone is provided one or more "collateral duties". Programs to oversee outside your direct responsibilities. Depending on your seniority, competence, skills, you may get something harder than the next person. The new people usually get a particular job: publications.
The "pubs" duty is simply to carry responsibility for your work-center's documentation. The manuals and technical material necessary for work, operations, or maintenance. This means you keep track of condition, revision status, and updates.
Expectations
Each sailor is expected to "take ownership" of their primary and collateral work. The pubs assignment, though practically simple, included this expectation of complete ownership and execution. You had to know where all your books were. You had to make sure they were correct revision at all times. If any of them were damaged from an oil leak, or spilled something, you facilitated getting them repaired. You had to take the initiative to get it done and make sure it was correct. What made these collateral jobs useful in training the new arrivals was communication of expectations. Each sailor had a mentor from day one, possibly someone who had the pleasure of doing the pubs job before, and could communicate expectations right away.
Results
Taking ownership as an action means I internalize the success (or failure) of this "thing". Well, most people don't find failure terribly interesting, so this investment leads to more effort. Smarter effort.
Personal investment in something means you look at solutions differently. You are more open to look for new solutions. This is a mechanism for you to build your personal "culture". The "how" you approach what you do.
The projects I have taken ownership of have allowed me to grow. To find new perspectives. To discover ways of thinking I hadn't considered. Tied to a goal, I find this activity, ownership, to be a rewarding mechanism to be productive.
Takeaways
- Ownership can help you succeed at what you do.
- Ownership can provide an element of pride in what you accomplish.
- Ownership is a way to show initiative, should you seek it.
Cautions
- Ownership can result in burnout without balance.
- Ownership can lead to internalized negativity.
- Ownership is sometimes not appreciated by managers.
