Make Your Team Member Have Ownership Feeling
We all care more about things we own than other people’s things. Good leaders apply this simple rule to managing people. If we feel like we “own” a project, function or client engagement, we think it through more carefully, watch out for changes and details and allow ourselves to be more accountable.
And that’s what managers want. In return, they must give us some level of autonomy, not micromanage, not dictate the details. Allowing people to own projects, functions, geographic areas, or responsibilities is, in fact, nothing more than delegating well.
Delegating fully means surrendering ownership and not getting in someone else’s way, just as you wouldn’t want them to get in your way if the tables were turned. I delegates well, enabling and expecting full ownership.
I delegates shylock negotiations to Silvio and assassin hiring to Christopher, and abides by their methods and decisions. I considers carefully before delegating, promoting or giving someone ownership over a project.
But once I’s made my decision, I sticks with it. Just about everyone questions Gigi’s decision to have Bobby Bacala Sr. clip Mustang Sally. Not I. “Gigi’s captain of that crew,” I says. “I gave the order. I okayed it. End of fucking story.”
