Ownership of Ideas

I've observed a challenge in our organization that warrants attention. Increasingly, people approach me with half-formed ideas, seemingly expecting me to complete the thought process for them. This trend isn't a failure on anyone's part; it indicates that we might be leaning too much on instruction rather than on independent, disciplined inquiry.

In my experience, effective management isn't about providing ready-made answers but about creating an environment where each person can develop their own understanding and judgment. It's essential to differentiate between seeking instructions and asking questions that lead to genuine insight—much like the Socratic method of inquiry.

There's a simple framework we can use: the Ownership-Driven Inquiry Framework. It consists of three steps:

• Observe: Clearly state the current situation or problem.
• Analyze: Reflect on what the situation means, why it matters, and what underlying assumptions might be at play.
• Act: Develop potential actions based on the analysis rather than relying on predetermined directives.

This framework isn't a rigid formula but a reminder to approach problems with clarity and self-reliance. It encourages us to move beyond the comfort of asking, "What should I do?" and instead ask, "What does this mean, and how can we address it?" The goal is to foster a culture where each individual takes full ownership of the thought process—from observation through analysis to action.

Of course, we need to address the elephant in the room: a more traditional style of management still exists in our organization, honed by years of industry experience. This is why adaptability, flexibility, and agility are also important. For some challenges, we'll still need to rely on seasoned instructions; for others, we must adopt a more critical-thinking approach to ensure we can stand on our own in the future. We're fortunate to have a platform where we can seek guidance while gradually growing into the expertise of independent thinking.

Balancing operational demands with the need for strategic, independent thought is crucial. By doing so, we not only solve problems more effectively but also cultivate a workforce that is truly engaged and empowered.

Note: this was written with the aid of ChatGPT.