We’re in the second week of our focus on Step 3 in our Leader in You® framework, ACT with POWER. POWER is a way to remember the 5 critical actions that powerful leaders must do to move forward on important issues and initiatives: ACT with a Possibility Mindset, take Ownership for success and be transparent about why it matters to you, create We-focused goals, Enable action, and Review and refine.
 
Last week, we focused on the P in the acronym POWER – which stands for Possibility Mindset. The most successful leaders are always looking for the possibilities inherent in the obstacles and challenges they face. Today, we’re talking about the O which stands for Ownership & Transparency.
 
As a leader, once you’ve shifted into a Possibility Mindset, you’ll see new ways to move toward success. Then you’ll need to Own your role in moving your team forward and, as part of the Ownership, be Transparent about why this effort is important to you.
 
Often, when we talk about ownership in leadership, people assume it means being bossy and telling everyone what to do. But ownership in leadership is really about being responsible and accountable for your role in creating success and inviting your team to own it as well.
 
Ownership & Transparency. Ask yourself: What am I trying to do here? What are my contributions to success / failure? Why does success matter to me?
The most effective leaders are able to articulate what they’re trying to do, why it matters to them, and how their actions have contributed to success and failure.

Think of the difference between being told that you should or must do something as opposed to being invited into a compelling understanding of why this is important to both the person who is leading the effort and to you as a team member.

Successful leaders own creating the conditions for success and they take responsibility when things go wrong. They use missteps and failure as an opportunity to learn versus blame.

Whether you’re a CEO, a manager, or a parent – letting the people you’re leading know that you own your role in creating a great outcome and what inspires you to do so, will invite alignment and action.

 
The best leaders are transparent  
about their passion for success  
and invite ownership and transparency  
from the people they’re leading.
 
This week, take some time to think about whether you’ve stepped into ownership for the projects you’re working on and whether you’ve been transparent about why success matters to you.
 
Next week, we’ll talk about the W in the ACT with POWER framework: W = We-focused Goals.
 
Let us know how you’ve been using this framework so far!
 
If you’d like support in understanding
how to put Ownership & Transparency
into action with your team, contact us today
about our Executive Coaching.