Leaders Are Owners

Sep24
2012 16 Comments Written by danonleadership

It’s Guest Post Monday!!! This post is from Marc Millan who is a worship pastor and fellow blogger. Make sure to check out his blog Here. You can also connected with him on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to have a post featured on my site then click here.

The moment a person passes over from just contributing or playing a role to taking ownership, that is when you know you have another leader on your team.

Let’s all be reminded, of all the wonderful things we’d like to do as leaders, our first and highest effective strategy is raising up other leaders. Once we abandon that, we easily slip back into a management role where everyone is coming back to you for direction and we all know this is how bottleneck’s get created.

So, I want to share with you four major benefits of making leaders “owners” because I believe that it is the spark of real, effective leadership.

Responsibility - This gives the person a sense of value and it also allows them to feel the weight of what is going on beyond their functional role.

Effectiveness – A solid leader knows how to manage their time well, they understand what is priority and what isn’t. They work their list so that their list doesn’t end up working them to death.

Follow through- A solid leader see’s something all the way through, not just the beginning of it, but see’s it through to the end, even if they hand it off, they are clear to make sure it get’s done and they are informed of it’s finality, leaving no lose ends or unresolved issues.

Planning. The best leaders I know take time to think, they leave room to see things and reflect on things, after all, how can you ever create a great strategy if you are only putting out fires. Take time to set up some margin and plan accordingly so that you can see most corners before you are already turning on them.

Responsibility. Effectiveness. Follow through. Planning- Four major benefits of making leaders, owners. Stop renting space to the leaders around you, give them the chance to be owners.

Question: Can you add to Marc’s list?  How do you personally give ownership to others?

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  • http://www.lincolnparks.com Lincoln Parks

    Ownership is a big part of what my business is all about and when someone starts with the team I make sure to let them tell me where their strengths lie. If they have no clue I suggest the strengths finder 2.0 book to help us along. Then we make a plan around their goals and their personality and we go for it. For example if someone says their strength is speaking I make sure that I show them how to present our opportunity a few times in front of a crowd and then I let them take over parts of the presentation until they can do it on their own. At that point, they should be able to teach others coming into their Organization how to do the same thing.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Strength finders is a great tool to help people come to a clear understanding, thanks for sharing and connecting on Facebook bro.
      M_

  • Floyd

    Great message. I try to get responsibility as far down as possible. When that takes place, success is sure to follow. Thanks for the reminder of following through.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Glad it confirmed what you are already doing through your leadership bro.
      M_

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      I totally agree Floyd. A leader must take final responsibility however still be giving it away to others.

  • http://twitter.com/LeadingEveryday Juan Cruz Jr

    one of the ways I give ownership to other is by including in the decision making progress. People feel empowered when their ideas are valued.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      That’s a great way to give ownership to others. Thank you for sharing.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Absolutely and great point, and most people understand not all their ideas will be used but the fact that they can add value or input gives them buy in. Thanks Juan.
      M_

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    Love this Marc “Take time to set up some margin and plan accordingly so that you can see most corners before you are already turning on them.” it’s so important to reflect and think. Thanks for sharing this.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Thank you so much, appreciate your thoughts…
      M_

  • http://www.michaelgholmes.com/ Mike Holmes

    Ooooohhhhhh weeee!! This is a great post! I love this quote on follow through:
    “A solid leader see’s something all the way through, not just the beginning of it, but see’s it through to the end, even if they hand it off, they are clear to make sure it get’s done and they are informed of it’s finality, leaving no lose ends or unresolved issues.” Great stuff Marc!

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Ha, thanks bro, glad it had some solid content worth your time.
      M_

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    Love the difference between a leader and a manager.

    If one is in a management position, they can still be effective leaders. That empowers them and those around them.

    I think our attitude about our role is very important, it helps define who we are. If we think we are “Only managers” or “Only a helper” or whatever, that’s all we will be. But if we think we are important to the goal, we begin to take ownership and make the first step toward being a leader.

    Great list!

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Thanks TC, always appreciate your thoughts.
      M_

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I think authority is a key component. So many times I find people delegating work but not authority. It needs to be coupled with the responsibility you mentioned.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Great point, thank you for sharing.