Establishing a strong foundation of ownership in your team

Do you know Pep Guardiola? He is the current manager of Manchester City. Guardiola believes in empowering his players to take responsibility for their own development and to work collaboratively toward achieving their shared goals. One example of Guardiola's ownership-leading style was his approach to working with Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players…

Establishing a strong foundation of ownership in your team

Do you know Pep Guardiola?

He is the current manager of Manchester City. Guardiola believes in empowering his players to take responsibility for their own development and to work collaboratively toward achieving their shared goals.

One example of Guardiola’s ownership-leading style was his approach to working with Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, during his tenure as manager of FC Barcelona. Despite Messi’s undeniable talent, Guardiola recognized that Messi needed to take ownership of his own development in order to become the best player he could be.

Guardiola encouraged Messi to take responsibility for his own training and development, focusing on improving his weaknesses and challenging himself to become a more complete player.

Pep guardiola, Enlyten circle

Another example is when FC Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga championship for the third consecutive year under the leadership of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola encouraged his players to take responsibility for their actions and work collaboratively to achieve their goals. He empowered them to make decisions on the field, trusting that they would make the right choices based on their training and experience.

The story of FC Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola’s leadership highlights the power of ownership in sports and team settings. When team members take ownership of their work and feel accountable for their actions, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and committed to achieving success together.

The business world is no different than the sports world, and there are many leaders who achieved wonders by promoting ownership few of many are Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Jack Ma…etc, and the list goes on.

Team ownership

1. Defining team ownership

Ownership is taking responsibility for one’s actions, decisions, and outcomes. It involves a willingness to be accountable and take ownership of successes and failures. Ownership means understanding the impact of one’s actions on others and the team as a whole, and working towards the team’s shared goals.

In practical terms, ownership means being proactive in identifying problems and finding solutions rather than waiting for someone else to take action. It also involves taking pride in one’s work, being committed to quality, and striving for continuous improvement.

In a team setting, ownership means actively participating in decision-making processes, contributing ideas and suggestions, and being willing to take on additional responsibilities when needed. Practicing ownership is essential for creating a culture of accountability and respect, where team members trust and support each other to achieve success.

Take ownership of your business and treat it like a business. Success is not something you pursue, it’s something you attract by the person you become

Jim Rohn

2. Strategies to implement team ownership in an organization

Implementing effective team ownership in an organization requires a deliberate and thoughtful approach. Here are some strategies that can help foster a culture of ownership within a team:

  1. Establish clear goals and expectations: Clear goals and expectations help team members understand their roles and responsibilities within the team. This clarity ensures that team members are aware of the tasks they need to complete and their contribution toward achieving the team’s objectives.
  2. Foster a sense of accountability: Creating a sense of accountability is essential for promoting ownership within a team. Team members should take responsibility for their actions and decisions and be held accountable for the outcomes of their work.
  3. Lead by example: Leaders play a critical role in fostering a culture of ownership. Leaders should model the behaviour they expect from their team members and be transparent in their decision-making processes.
  4. Provide support and resources: Organizations should provide the necessary support and resources to enable team members to achieve their goals. Helping tools, training, and resources team members feel empowered and competent.
  5. Celebrate successes and learn from failures: Celebrating successes and learning from failures is critical to creating a culture of ownership. Team members should be recognized for their achievements and encouraged to learn from their mistakes to improve continuously.

3. The Impact of team ownership on business success

Team ownership is a critical factor in achieving business success. When team members take ownership, they are more engaged, motivated, and committed to achieving shared goals, resulting in increased productivity and better outcomes.

Team ownership can have a significant impact on several aspects of business success, including:

  1. Increased productivity: When team members take ownership, they are more likely to be invested in the team’s success, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
  2. Improved collaboration: Ownership encourages team members to work together towards shared goals, leading to improved collaboration and communication. Team members feel more comfortable sharing ideas and providing feedback, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.
  3. Innovation: Ownership fosters a culture of innovation, where team members are encouraged to think outside the box and explore new ideas. When team members take ownership of their work, they are more likely to be creative and innovative in finding solutions to problems.
  4. Employee engagement: Ownership can improve employee engagement by providing a sense of purpose and meaning. When team members take ownership, they are more likely to feel valued and appreciated, increasing job satisfaction and motivation.

Conclusion

Team ownership is essential for creating a culture of accountability and respect that drives business success. Organizations can create an environment where team members take ownership of their work by establishing clear goals, fostering a sense of accountability, leading by example, providing support and resources, celebrating successes and learning from failures. This will increase productivity, improve collaboration and communication, innovation in problem-solving solutions, and increase employee engagement. Implementing these strategies today could positively impact your organization’s overall performance tomorrow!