Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential
Issue 8.5 - January 31, 2011 ISSN: 15516571

In Kevins Own Words

Nine Steps for Creating and Maintaining Team Ownership of Ideas and Goals

As a leader you know results and productivity are higher when people are committed to their work. You also know higher levels of commitment or engagement also increase job satisfaction, safety performance and focus while reducing on-the-job stress and turnover.

Commitment, engagement or buy-in - whatever you want to call - it's a good thing.

One sure-fire way to increase all those things is for people to feel ownership of something. When people feel ownership for problem solving, ownership of the ideas created in a meeting or ownership in their personal or organizational goals they are working towards greater success will occur.

The question you might ask is how do you do that?

It is an important question, and I'm glad you asked. There are at least nine things you can do to improve the likelihood of ownership by others. These are listed as steps because, generally speaking, this is the order you would do them in any situation.

The Nine Steps

1. Be genuine. If you have already decided on a course of action, or if the goal has already been set, please don't ask for people's input. These steps are not meant to manipulate. In fact, if you try to manipulate, none of this will work. If that is your intention, please stop reading now; it will be a waste of your time.
2. State your intention (sometimes). Most of the time it is a good idea to tell people what you are doing. "I want your input and ideas before we go any further. While I have some ideas, I want to hear yours too." If trust is high enough, that might not be needed, you may simply ask for input taking careful note of what is being said.
3. Be prepared. Don't shoot from the hip. Think about the goals or ideas beforehand. You have a valid and valuable perspective into whatever is the matter at hand, be ready to share your insights when the time is right.
4. Give context, not opinions. Your perspective is important. Set the stage, talk about boundaries (if they exist), and tell people you want to hear their ideas. Context and boundaries will be very helpful, as will clarification of the expectations of the overall process. Even if people don't like the boundaries you set, it is better to set them then to have people feel like you delivered a "gotcha" when an unstated boundary is crossed.
5. Talk about why. This relates to context, but is so important it must be singled out. Help people understand why the ideas are necessary. Help them see the value in the effort and their ideas. When people agree with a why, ownership is heightened significantly!
6. Ask. Yup, ask for their input. Get their ideas. Write them down. Show them you value those ideas. Ask follow up and clarifying questions (not questions that are seen as critical or belittling). People won't argue with their own input, and their input constitutes the first part of ownership. Ask!
7. Shut up and listen. I'm guessing this is the behavior you must work on most. Once you have asked for their ideas you must shut up and listen. Don't add your ideas. Don't agree with some (that you have already thought of) and ignore others. Too many leaders talk too much in too many settings. Resist the urge always, especially when you want to build commitment and ownership. Shut up!
8. Think "and". Leave your "but" mindset at home. When you follow up someone's idea with a "but", you have sent a powerful message - and not one that is conducive to ownership by others.
9. Summarize and add as needed. When the group has exhausted its list of ideas and you have prompted them again, only then can you comment. If you have prepared, perhaps you have ideas they haven't considered. Now you can mention them. Perhaps as you hear their ideas you get other new ones - commend the team for the inspiration and then add them too. People expect you to have ideas; it is just that if you go first all the ideas will seem to be yours.

Will these nine steps guarantee that your team will feel 100% ownership and commitment to what is said?

Unfortunately, no.

However, using these steps will significantly increase the engagement, belief and, yes, ownership people feel in the ideas, goals and next steps created through this process.

Think about a situation, big and complex or even simpler and safer, where you can apply these ideas. Once you determine the situation, try it! You'll be pleased with your results.

Comments

The best leaders recognize the power of people's emotions and the connection of those feelings to their productivity and work results. Learning how to influence those emotions and feelings is tough, especially when you first become a leader. If you find yourself in this leadership situation, consider reading From Bud to Boss - Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership, written by Kevin Eikenberry and Guy Harris. Learn more about this book and join a community of learning leaders who are succeeding in this transition (or helping others do the same) at www.BudtoBossCommunity.com Kevin Eikenberry wrote this article and is the leading expert on creating Remarkable Leaders. Kevin also is a bestselling author, speaker, trainer, consultant and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group.

Kevins Recommends

9 Steps to Work Less and Do More
By Stever Robbins

People ask me all the time, "what is the best new time management book out there?" My flippant response is typically, "read the one you already have on your shelf, and use what it recommends."

I think this book's author would appreciate the tone of my response. Stever Robbins, host of the very popular Get-it-Done Guy podcast, is the author. (Access the podcast and more on Stever's website)

Why do I think he would like my irreverent response? Primarily, because he displays a similar personality throughout this valuable book. There are lots of books with valuable advice on getting more done, being more organized, setting your priorities and more. This one is now on my list of favorites.

It is practical.

It is real world.

It is sometimes surprising and, in those moments, profound.

It is fun.

The book promises 9 steps, and it delivers some unique and insightful ideas in each chapter/step. They are:

1. Live on purpose
2. Stop procrastinating
3. Conquer technology
4. Beat distractions to cultivate focus
5. Stay organized
6. Stop wasting time
7. Optimize
8. Build stronger relationships
9. Leverage

The section about an empty email inbox on pages 69-72 is, in itself, worth the price of the book.

If you want to get more done, manage your time, be more productive, (insert your favorite descriptor here) . . . or . . . if you collect time management books and want the best new one around, pick up a copy. (It is available for the Kindle too.)

Comments | Buy Now

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