How can you encourage project team members to take ownership of their work?

As a project leader, you want your team members to feel invested, motivated, and responsible for their work. This can boost their performance, creativity, and satisfaction. But how can you foster a sense of ownership among your team members, especially in complex or challenging projects? Here are some strategies you can try.

1 Define the vision and goals

One of the first steps to encourage ownership is to clarify the vision and goals of the project. Explain why the project matters, what benefits it will bring, and how it aligns with the organization's mission and values. Then, involve your team members in setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that support the vision. By doing this, you can help them understand the purpose and value of their work, and how it contributes to the bigger picture.

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Bernd Becker

Stage-Gate Process Design and Optimization for B2B and B2C | Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management Governance | Leadership Advisor
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A project leaders job is to a large extent the management of the team. A critical part of this is to align the team members on what needs to be achieved within the project. Many team members focus very much on their area of expertise and forget the overall goal of the project. The project manager is the key person to expand the team members horizon within the project as each of the team members can have significant contributions even outside of their area of expertise.

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2 Delegate and empower

Another way to encourage ownership is to delegate tasks and decisions to your team members, and give them the authority and autonomy to complete them. This means trusting them to use their skills, knowledge, and judgment, and providing them with the necessary resources and support. Avoid micromanaging, overruling, or interfering with their work, unless absolutely necessary. By delegating and empowering your team members, you can show them that you respect and value their input, and that you expect them to take charge and be accountable for their work.

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Bernd Becker

Stage-Gate Process Design and Optimization for B2B and B2C | Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management Governance | Leadership Advisor
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Getting team members involved "with their heart" is key to success for any project. Team members that just go through the motions, completing their tasks with as little effort they can get away with, are often the cause of project failure. Each team members needs to feel accountable for the entirety of the project, not just their part. Within our work with clients at Stage-Gate International, we always stress empowerment of the team and of each team member, but empowerment brings accountability of the cross-functional team for the project as well. Both are important factors to drive a project to successful completion.

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3 Provide feedback and recognition

A third way to encourage ownership is to provide regular, constructive, and specific feedback to your team members. Feedback can help them learn from their successes and failures, improve their skills, and adjust their actions. It can also help you monitor their progress, identify any issues or risks, and offer guidance or assistance. In addition, you should recognize and reward your team members for their achievements, efforts, and contributions. Recognition can boost their morale, confidence, and motivation, and reinforce their sense of ownership.

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Bernd Becker

Stage-Gate Process Design and Optimization for B2B and B2C | Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management Governance | Leadership Advisor
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Recognition is a critical part of team management. A team member that knows how his/her contributions are adding value to the project, is more likely going above and beyond their area of responsibility in contributing to the project. Additionally, regular feedback and specific reviews can uncover gaps in skills and capabilities that might put the project in jeopardy.

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4 Encourage collaboration and communication

A fourth way to encourage ownership is to foster a collaborative and communicative culture in your project team. Encourage your team members to share their ideas, opinions, and feedback with each other, and to listen and respect each other's perspectives. Facilitate opportunities for them to work together, learn from each other, and solve problems collectively. Promote open and honest communication among your team members, and with other stakeholders, such as clients, sponsors, or users. By doing this, you can help them build trust, rapport, and mutual support, and enhance their ownership as a team.

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Bernd Becker

Stage-Gate Process Design and Optimization for B2B and B2C | Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management Governance | Leadership Advisor
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Teams that share information openly and without being protective of their own knowledge are more likely to succeed. Many team members have a lot of experience beyond their specific functional knowledge and can be of great value to the team by contributing their general knowledge about the company, the companies processes, past experience through other projects and similar. Regular team meetings are the key to encourage open communication so that each team member can participate and add value.

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5 Support learning and development

A fifth way to encourage ownership is to support the learning and development of your team members. Provide them with opportunities to acquire new skills, knowledge, or experience that can help them grow professionally and personally. This can include formal training, mentoring, coaching, or self-directed learning. Encourage them to seek feedback, reflect on their performance, and set goals for their improvement. By doing this, you can help them expand their capabilities, increase their confidence, and pursue their interests and aspirations.

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6 Celebrate and evaluate

A sixth way to encourage ownership is to celebrate and evaluate the outcomes of the project. Celebrate the achievements, milestones, and successes of your team members, and acknowledge the challenges, difficulties, and failures they overcame. Express your appreciation and gratitude for their work, and share the positive impact and value of the project. Evaluate the results, processes, and lessons learned from the project, and solicit feedback from your team members and other stakeholders. By doing this, you can help them appreciate their work, learn from their experience, and prepare for future projects.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you encourage project team members to take ownership of their work?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the vision and goals

2 Delegate and empower

3 Provide feedback and recognition

4 Encourage collaboration and communication

5 Support learning and development

6 Celebrate and evaluate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategy

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How can you encourage project team members to take ownership of their work?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the vision and goals

2 Delegate and empower

3 Provide feedback and recognition

4 Encourage collaboration and communication

5 Support learning and development

6 Celebrate and evaluate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategy

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