Taking Ownership & Saying Less
June 30, 2024•425 words
"As a coach, I want players to challenge me, to question me and ask why we're doing a certain thing, so they feel that they're taking ownership." ~ Warren Gatland
"The first thing is to be willing. You must become willing to feel the discomfort that's occurred and/or shown up. Some of it is taking ownership of your part in the situation, to clean it up and be willing to make amends." ~ Gabrielle Bernstein
"Have more than you show, Speak less than you know." ~ William Shakespeare
"For maximum impact, listen more and speak less." ~ Willow Bay
"actions speak louder than words" ~ Becca Fitzpatrick
Taking responsibility is a big part of growing as a person.
People who consistently make excuses or blame others often get stuck in a negative cycle. Taking responsibility is the foundation of personal growth. It's the difference between blaming outside factors for setbacks and taking charge of your life.
For example, imagine two soccer players: one complains about a bad call by the referee after a loss, and the other looks at their own performance and figures out areas for improvement. The first athlete stays stuck, while the second embraces the chance to learn and grow.
This idea of taking ownership applies to all parts of life.
We've all known someone constantly blames their kid or colleague for missed deadlines. While external factors matter, taking ownership lets you learn from mistakes and find solutions, and it empowers you to move forward instead of getting stuck in negativity.
For instance, a real estate agent who fails to reach their target might blame a weak sales territory. Still, a responsible real estate agent also assesses their own approach, prospecting methods, and closing techniques to find areas for improvement, such as more aggressive marketing. Taking responsibility isn't about beating yourself up; it's about recognizing your part in shaping your circumstances and taking control of your own destiny.
Getting good at saying a lot with a little can be powerful.
When you talk purposefully and don't overshare, you create an air of mystery and interest. Picture a talented chess player; how they calmly think and plan their moves can be more methodical than someone who's all over the place. By picking your words carefully and letting your actions do the talking, you become a bit of a puzzle, always a step ahead, and leave a strong impression on those around you.