Taking Ownership: The Key to Thriving in Any Situation
Ali Abdaal, in Feel-Good Productivity, shares a powerful lesson on ownership:
"When we can’t take ownership of the situation, we can still take ownership of the process."
Think about that for a second. How often do we find ourselves in situations where we can’t fully control the outcome? It happens all the time. In leadership, in teams, in life—we constantly face circumstances that are outside of our control. But here’s the real challenge: Do we let that stop us, or do we take ownership of what we can control?
Because ownership isn’t just about solving problems. It’s about creating the mindset, the processes, and the strategies that move things forward—even when the situation isn’t fully in our hands.
Owning the Problem Means Owning the Solution
One of the most important lessons we teach teams is this:
If we own the problem, we also own the solution.
There’s no passing the buck. No waiting for someone else to step in. Even if we don’t have full control over the execution, we have control over the way we approach it. We have control over the strategies we develop. We have control over the mindset we bring to the table.
This is what separates high-performing teams from average ones. When problems arise, the best teams don’t just point them out—they come with solutions. They ask:
What part of this can we influence?
How can we create a process that makes things better?
What strategies can we implement to prevent this from happening again?
Because the reality is, problems will always exist. The difference-maker is how we respond to them.
Building an Ownership Mindset in Teams
Most people are quick to recognize when something isn’t working. But very few take ownership of fixing it. That’s why, as leaders, we have to instill an ownership mindset in our teams.
A culture of ownership means:
✔ Teams don’t just report problems—they bring solutions.
✔ Individuals don’t wait for direction—they take initiative.
✔ Everyone sees themselves as a problem-solver, not just an observer.
Ownership isn’t about always having the final say. It’s about stepping up, taking responsibility, and ensuring that problems get addressed—not ignored or left for someone else to figure out.
So the real question is: Are you leading with an ownership mindset? Is your team?
Three Actions to Build Ownership Today
✅ Identify a challenge your team is facing and take responsibility for finding a solution—don’t wait for someone else.
✅ Shift your mindset: Instead of focusing on what you can’t control, focus on what you can influence.
✅ Encourage your team to bring solutions, not just problems, to discussions. Make ownership the standard.
How Will You Take Control Today?
At the end of the day, ownership is a choice. You can wait for circumstances to change, or you can take responsibility for how you respond. You can hope someone else fixes the problem, or you can take the first step in building a process that leads to a solution.
Ali Abdaal reminds us that even when the situation isn’t fully in our control, our approach always is. So, what will you take ownership of today?
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