Ownership Culture, at Work

My grandfather used to live in a little townhome which shared a courtyard with several other homes. For a long time, there were few plants, because not a single person wanted to invest money into a garden which was not „theirs“. They didn‘t want to accept ownership of it.

Sound familiar? This is normal human behavior, and nowhere is it more evident than in the workplace. 

Here‘s one example. I served as editor of a global newsletter that went out to more than 6,000 people across the world. Not infrequently, people would get angry with me for changing the wording of their articles. And my colleagues would beg me to just publish the stinking newsletter without ruffling feathers. But how could I? It was my work. It reflected me. So in my opinion, it was worth - like they say in softball or baseball circles - going to bat and giving nothing less than my very best swing. 

Of course, from country to country, we often see differences in ownership culture. But I deeply believe that a single person CAN make a difference. And that it all begins with ownership and a bit of passion. 

For a great film dealing with this very topic, just check out the story of a Mumbai-based attorney, who has transformed his city‘s coastline. Maybe it will inspire you to take a stand on something you feel passionate about, today. 

I‘d like tönend with this powerful quote by Toni Morrison, the well-known American novelist and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

„Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another. Responsibility equals accountability equals ownership. And a sense of ownership is the most powerful weapon a team or organization can have.“