Everybody is an owner. Owners take responsibility.

People work at their peak and find the most fulfillment in their work when they have the chance to craft their job to better fit their interests and skills. That’s why the aspect of ownership is so significant.

Owners don’t have job descriptions. They are accountable for outcomes. And people at PIRATE can take over as much ownership – and thus the responsibility for outcomes – as they can confidently handle. Taking ownership is about taking the initiative for things that need to get done. We take ownership when we believe that taking action is not someone else’s responsibility. By doing so, we tell others, ‘You can trust me to do the right thing’.

Leaders are owners that think long-term and act in the broader interest of the entire company, beyond just their department or team. When in doubt, they always prioritize long-term value above short-term results. An owner won’t say “that’s not my job” because the owner knows that in the end she is accountable.

In order to take over ownership, you are given a lot of freedom. This freedom comes with responsibility. The freedom to take decisions, but also to be accountable. Accountability means you will deliver as promised, on-time, within budget, etc. It also means you are proactive when you fall short. If you can’t deliver what you promised, be honest and forthcoming with your communication. By doing so, you respect the impact you have on teammates. Being accountable is a major factor in building trust. It tells others: ‘You can trust me to do what I say I’m committed to do.