It’s impossible for you as a leader to instruct everyone you lead every day in what to do and how to do. Trying to will leave your team uninspired and unmotivated.

The enabling principle “People Thrive When They Own Their Work” helps unlock the power of a clear Vision. Giving the people you lead enough clarity in what you’re trying to achieve and the space to achieve it helps them to:

It’s challenging to develop this kind of motivation without the true sense of ownership that comes from bringing your expertise to bear on meaningful challenges.

It can feel natural to lead by telling, but you won’t inspire true forward motion without encouraging a strong sense of ownership.

How are you talking about the work your team is doing?

Have you made connections between each of their individual jobs and how that contributes to their growth, to the team’s growth, to positive impacts on the entire organization?

How can you make those outcomes clearer to them in a way that allows them to take on ownership and move things forward?