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What does taking ownership at work mean?
1.5 min. read
To take ownership at work means to take initiative and be proactive in your role, understanding the purpose of your job duties in achieving larger organizational goals. Another way to define this concept is to hold yourself accountable for your work, regardless of the outcome, and demonstrate a genuine interest in contributing to the success of your organization.
Remember-- we win TOGETHER.
Here is a list of different strategies you can use to take ownership:
Be proactive instead of reactive
Taking ownership of your work requires you to take proactive measures in your daily responsibilities.
For example: Anticipate problems and develop solutions, ask for clarification on tasks or deadlines, and work ahead to minimize stress or confusion during busy workdays.
Offer solutions to problems
When taking ownership of your work, offering solutions is more effective than presenting problems.
For example: Instead of going straight to your manager with a problem you discovered, take a few minutes to consider how you would solve the problem by yourself. When you visit with them, present the problem and immediately describe a few potential solutions you came up with. This shows initiative on your part and helps your manager maintain awareness of workplace activities.
Develop your self-awareness
Self-awareness is how you understand yourself, including your strengths, weaknesses, learning style, and personality traits. By having an in-depth understanding of your habits and needs, you can hold yourself accountable, set goals for improvement and adjust the way you work to accommodate your strengths and weaknesses.
For example: If you know you have difficulty concentrating for long periods, you can adjust your work style to complete tasks in set time frames followed by short breaks.
Set an example
As a leader (and we're all leaders), it’s important to lead by example.
For example: Live out the values you want to see in others—including taking ownership of your work. When you take ownership of your role, you have the potential to create a ripple effect that positively impacts your team, your organization, and yourself.
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