Want to Build a Strong Team? Give Them Ownership – and Step Back

Micromanagement kills teams☠️. It’s nothing wrong with checking what the team is doing or ensure they’re moving in the right direction – but managers, who constantly monitor every team move don’t build a strong team. These managers might think they’re doing a good job by keeping a close eye on everything, but in reality, it has the opposite effect.
When teams feel their manager doesn’t trust them it impacts their motivation, engagement and performance. That’s why this kind of management is ineffective. Especially in today’s fast-changing environment, where every situation, challenge and customer is unique, teams should be empowered to think and decide for themselves.

How Does Ownership Help Build a Powerful Team?

Ownership encourages the team to think outside the box, generate innovative ideas, and take responsibility when things go wrong. Fostering a sense of ownership can lead to several key benefits:

• Teams become more proactive, passionate, and motivated to create real impact for their users.
•  Open communication leads to continuous learning and better collaboration.
• They can organise their work proactively.

An Agile leader’s role is to foster an environment where individuals can grow, work together, build trust, and produce excellent work. The finest leaders cultivate a culture where people truly take pride in their efforts.

Finding the Balance ⚖️

Giving people ownership of their decisions needs to be done wisely. To do that, a Project Manager or Agile Lead needs to know when to step in and when to step back:

•  If they intervene too fast, teams may not be ready for this and as a result it will feel lost, flustered and confused – and this is not ownership.
• The same happens if the Agile lead does not take action or is too slow; the team can feel unsupported.
• It’s beneficial for an Agile Leader or PM to be a facilitator – actively supporting the team in achieving results. Their role involves helping the team grasp common goals and providing guidance when needed.
•  Ownership cannot be forced. A good Agile Lead, PM, understands that fostering a culture of ownership isn’t about telling people what to do- it’s about guiding them to take responsibility and supporting them along the way.

Key Questions to Encourage Ownership:

• What needs to be changed, added, or improved?
• How does my team typically grow?
• Do we need additional expertise, training, or mentoring?
• Are there blockers preventing ownership?
• How can the borders be aligned with the maturity?

Summary:
People need more than a salary to grow. They need a leader who provides a clear vision, someone who’s there when they need support, and a safe environment, where they can speak openly about challenges.
Finally, remember: simply copying what worked for another team or company without understanding your team’s needs and goals won’t encourage true ownership.