How to Build a Culture of Ownership (Exercise)

An activity to promote agency and responsibility, not just compliance

Iryna Auhustsinovich/Stocksy

If accountability is so important at work, why do most organizations fail to build a culture of ownership?

For starters, accountability is often treated as punitive rather than motivational – it’s promoted after the fact. 80% of employees report receiving feedback only when things go wrong. A lack of clear priorities and expectations may jeopardize the organization’s key results. And almost 90% of executives are not sure what their organizations are even trying to achieve.

Ironically, while most people believe leadership behavior makes or breaks accountability, 82% of leaders feel they have limited ability to hold employees accountable. They either try but fail or avoid it altogether.

The fundamental problem with accountability is that it fosters a culture of blame, control, and judgment. It leads to fear rather than promoting pride and motivation.

To turn things around, organizations should cultivate a culture of ownership. The more people feel they own their …