Taking Ownership
Maybe it’s just my filter on the world, but have you noticed how so much of the public conversation slips into blame?
“It’s their fault”
“They should have fixed it”
“Poor decision making”
“Someone else is the problem”
Politics, Business, Culture….all seem to me to have the same echo, the same finger-pointing, frustration, outrage….
In the teams that I work with who are leading in their markets, I tend to see a different culture.
I am incredibly lucky to get to work with world class teams from around the world and the pattern that I see there is so different from the one that I see in the media, that it jars heavily.
My mate Jamil has a lovely saying: “Blame looks backwards and responsibility looks forwards”
It’s about ownership.
It’s about seeing the situation as it is now. Not better, not worse. Just an accurate picture.
It’s then about imagining a better picture.
And finally its a plan to close the gap between where you are today and where you want to be.
Less hot air. Less point scoring.
Just a focus on what needs to be done.
Covey had it right with the Control Model.
What’s within my control?
What can I influence?
What’s outside my control?
Simple clear eyed analysis without the emotion and baggage. And then simple questions: “What Can I Do?”
It’s remarkable how quickly the noise falls away when you focus on agency and what you can do differently.
Less seagull managers please (who the ones who fly in and flap around everywhere!)
More leaders who bring simple clarity of thought.
Some simple ideas too play with:
Three Experiments for You to Try 🧪
💭 The 2-Minute Experiment
Take one situation that’s been bothering you this week and run it through Covey’s lens. Control, influence, everything else. Notice if any frustration sits in that third circle of things beyond you control.
🎯 The 4-Minute Experiment
Enjoy the classic darts scene in Ted Lasso which beautifully sums up the magic of curiosity and questions rather than assumptions. Responsibility, not blame. Link.
🎧 The 7-Minute Experiment
Listen to any short interview clip with someone you admire. Notice how they talk about setbacks. Most people explain what they did next, not what others didn’t do.
Services I Offer