Taking ownership of a problem or task means that you are committing to be the primary driver of its resolution. It is an important step towards accountability, responsibility, and leadership. When you take ownership, you are essentially saying, "I will be running point on this issue and driving it to resolution either until it's resolved or finding someone else to take ownership."
Taking Ownership Early
Taking ownership early is a key aspect of effective problem resolution. By taking ownership early on, you can establish clear communication expectations and demonstrate your commitment to finding a solution. It's important to note that taking ownership is not an agreement to drop everything and address the problem right away. Rather, it's an agreement to handle the issue as fast as is reasonably possible.
Knowing that you don't have to drop what you're doing to take ownership allows you to continue the work at hand while still allowing the reporting party to consider the loop closed. This increases satisfaction with the people or teams you're supporting and helps to build trust and credibility.
As Fast as Reasonably Possible
When you take ownership of a problem, you commit to driving it to resolution as fast as reasonably possible. This means that you will work diligently to find a solution but also ensure that the solution is well-designed, effective, and sustainable. It is important to communicate progress regularly to all stakeholders to keep them informed and reassured that the issue is being handled.
Establishing a Next Point of Contact
As part of taking ownership of a problem, it is crucial to establish a next point of contact or update. You should inform the person who reported the issue when they can expect an update and keep to that timeline. Even if there are no updates to provide, it is important to communicate that you are "still on the case" and actively working towards a resolution.
Establishing a regular update schedule provides reassurance that the issue is being handled and helps to manage expectations. It also ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the status of the problem and any potential changes in the timeline or approach. By setting clear communication expectations, you can build trust and demonstrate your commitment to finding a resolution.
TLDR;
Taking ownership of a problem is an essential step toward accountability, responsibility, and leadership. By taking ownership early, you can establish clear communication expectations and demonstrate your commitment to finding a solution. By driving the problem to resolution as fast as reasonably possible and establishing regular updates, you can build trust and credibility with stakeholders and move closer to finding a resolution that is effective and sustainable. Remember, taking ownership is not an agreement to drop everything and address the problem right away. It's an agreement to handle the issue as fast as is reasonably possible.