Our annual theme is Own It.
During the recent company meetings, I had the honor of meeting with and conversing with many of my coworkers. Listening to several of them discuss the projects they are working on and getting an update on our projects from their perspective is moving.
I’ve had too many conversations to include all of them in this short article, but a few stand out.
Listening to Brian Baxter talk about the College of Dentistry was fascinating. He provided me with a detailed description of the recent work and the plan for upcoming tasks on the project. You could tell he was “owning” the project. He truly considers the finished product to be the result of his work.
The same was true of Riggin Rixstine when he reviewed the work on the project, AGP, in David City. Josh Dishman told me about the UNL practice field. Josh May was pleased to report on the progress at the NDCS. Additionally, Jon Brophy mentioned both the Residence Inn in Lincoln and his upcoming project at Conestoga School.
Andy Campbell was so excited about the progress at the Tecumseh Prison that he gave an update to a large group of people, who quickly asked him follow-up questions. It was nice to see his coworkers take an interest in the project he was working on.
Until writing this article, I have always tried to steer clear of using phrases like “their project” or “your project” because I don’t think they are team-friendly. My thinking is that by attaching them so specifically to one person or a group of people, I am devaluing the greater team.
My thought was that we should view ourselves as a large group of people working towards a greater cause.
This week’s conversations have changed my thinking somewhat. When projects are associated with a person or small group, they can take ownership and align with our theme. I’m thinking I shouldn’t be so careful to avoid phrases like ‘your’ or ‘theirs.
The trick is to change my thinking and adopt this newfound ownership mentality without allowing people to prioritize their interests and projects at the expense of others and the overall well-being of the whole.
Hoarding tools isn’t a way to show “ownership” in a project or task. It is a way to hurt the efforts of coworkers on other sites.
I can do my daily job and take ownership of my surroundings without being selfish. I don’t need to hoard things or demand others’ help for my project over other projects.
If I respect others and assume they will work for the good of the entire team, the projects I am working on will be fine.
I can relax because the people I listed above (and the rest of the company) don’t just own the work they do; they also take pride in it. They also care about the entire company.
