How to make employees feel ownership of their work

[jrineakter]

Have you ever handed a project over to a team member only to find out that they didn't do it right? Or have they come back to you with all the reasons why they couldn't finish the job? It's easy to get frustrated in a situation like this and start micromanaging the team, believing that they don't own their work.

Taking ownership at work means taking responsibility for your own work and being accountable. Employees who show ownership are proactive, solution-oriented, and go the extra mile. It benefits the company, boosts employee motivation, accelerates career advancement, and creates personal growth.

Your team members are also capable of taking ownership at work. However, you need to foster their ownership mindset and provide them with the necessary tools and resources.

So how can you foster ownership among your employees? Here are effective strategies to cultivate an ownership mindset in your team.

What does it mean to take ownership at work?
Taking ownership at work means taking responsibility. It means not waiting for someone else to save the day, but going ahead and doing it yourself.

Let's make it easier to understand with an example :

Today there is a critical presentation to be given to an employee, and a last-minute problem arises with the presentation. There are two project managers, Emily and Mike. Emily notices the problem, informs her team, resolves the issue, and works overtime to make sure everything is perfect.

On the other hand, Mike sees chile number data the same problem but decides that it is not his responsibility to fix it and assumes that someone else will.

Which of the two would you consider more responsible? Clearly, Emily because she takes ownership and responsibility.

Some of the key characteristics of an employee who takes ownership at work are:

Proactive: Takes initiative to identify and resolve problems and address issues promptly
Responsible : Takes responsibility for the success or failure of his/her projects and the overall goals of the organization.
Resources : Provides creative solutions, has the ability to solve problems and makes the most of available resources
Committed : Shows dedication to achieving the organization's goals by going the extra mile
Focuses on improvement: Continually seeks information and ways to improve performance and productivity
While these are some of the core attributes of an accountable mindset, keep in mind that accountability always goes hand in hand with authority. This means that when you hold an employee accountable for delivering a project by a certain date, you must also give them the authority to allocate resources and take other steps necessary for delivery.

Authority gives individuals the power to make decisions and implement changes, while accountability ensures that they are responsible for the outcomes of those decisions.

Advantages of taking ownership at work
Building a team of employees who are capable of taking ownership at work can benefit you in many ways.

For example:

Faster decision making and innovation: People who feel responsible for their work act more decisively and innovatively. Employees take initiative without waiting for instructions or approval, which improves their overall performance.
Improved employee morale and engagement: Feeling responsible for business outcomes and being involved in the right attempt at the project makes employees more productive and enthusiastic.
Improved recruitment and retention: Current employees are more likely to stay, and future employees are expected to be attracted to a company that values ​​their contributions and offers ownership opportunities.
Ways to encourage ownership at work
We know why it is essential to take ownership at work. Let's look at ten ways to encourage and make this attitude compatible in the interest of both parties.

1. Set clear goals and objectives
Your employees need to know what goals they are working towards. Encourage them to set clear, measurable goals that align with company objectives. This helps them understand how their efforts contribute to overall success, giving them direction and a sense of purpose.