‘Lead where you are’. I remember hearing that once early in my career before I ever had any real titles or responsibilities. For some reason I knew what that meant, but I wouldn’t have been able to define that if someone asked me to. In fact, I can recall several times when I have given that advice to others who were eager for development and promotions, but I couldn’t give them any tactical steps to make that happen. Easier said than done I suppose. I always liked the idea that anyone can be a leader if they choose to be. We don’t have to be anointed by anyone because leadership is a state of mind more than it is a title. It’s a choice we make in our attitude, our decisions and how we treat others. It’s about achieving The Ownership Mindset where we see ourselves as being in control of our circumstances, knowing the right thing to do and having the courage to do it. I’m not trying to oversimplify leadership, but I do believe that it is something within anyone’s range if they learn to simply lead where they are.
The Ownership Mindset is not something that we want to reserve for only the chosen few. As a matter of fact it is something we should encourage in everyone. The Ownership Mindset is taking responsibility for our decisions, actions and responses to accelerate solutions and create better outcomes for the future. It’s how we demonstrate character, build trust, set a higher standard and create value whenever possible. Perhaps you already see this in yourself or you have someone that models these behaviours for you, but we know a leader when we see one. They have the courage to make a decision, the kindness to offer help and to say yes when asked. That’s what it truly means to lead where you are whether you are in sales, production, management or service. And even though being a leader is a real challenge, thinking like one doesn’t have to be if you follow these steps.
- Be Honest – Honesty is the most fundamental step in the Ownership Mindset. We need to take inventory of all the facts and truths we have available to us regardless how it portrays someone.
- Be Fair – The Ownership Mindset looks to treat everyone fairly, including yourself. We ignore our biases in favor of equity. We seek the equilibrium of responsibility.
- Be Responsible – Accept mistakes without letting it define whoever made them, seek solutions for problems that you have made, help others to solve the problems they have created and make dependability a priority.
- Be Valuable – The Ownership Mindset looks to create value wherever it can. Usually in the form of solutions and action. It’s more than just being dependable, it’s proving that you are, or can be, a leader.
- Commit To Success – The Ownership Mindset doesn’t quit even when the outcome is uncertain. It seeks success against all odds and doesn’t let doubt delay progress.
