I’ve found a lack of ownership often is related to a sense of powerlessness. The people who struggle most with ownership over their own growth have not yet acknowledged their own power. To start, I spend time reviewing the team members path to date, discussing the decisions they made and actions they chose to take to get them to their current point of success. A lot can come up in the reflection process about their values and strengths that can be immensely helpful in future planning. Help them see the power they’ve already exercised and then establish goals and a plan to get them to where they want to go.

I’d start by setting clear goals and expectations while encouraging each person to define their career aspirations. Providing access to the right tools—like mentorship, training programs, and development resources—is key. Regular, constructive feedback helps keep them on track, but I’d also make sure they have the autonomy to make decisions and take charge of their projects. I’d highlight examples of colleagues who have taken ownership of their growth and arrange conversations between them to inspire and share best practices. Recognizing and rewarding their successes builds confidence and momentum, making it easier for them to stay motivated and invested in their growth.

We work to live, so if they are living well, how do you empower them to step up? They may comfortable in what they are doing, but why? What energy is missing? How do you get more of it? Is the company vision theirs, are they encouraged to think openly? Are they sharing as teams? Many questions that need to be answered to know what is not working, in order to elevate them into the desire for personal growth.

Being a servant leader, I would encourage to work with each individual to craft a personalized development plan based on their strengths, career goals, and interests. When growth is aligned with personal aspirations, ownership comes naturally (My personal experience). Aldo, provide mentorship opportunities, encourage a culture of knowledge sharing. When team members learn from each other, it not only promotes personal growth but also fosters collaboration and collective ownership. And most importantly , give them the freedom to make decisions in their areas of work. This encourages them to take responsibility for outcomes, both successes and lessons learned, which naturally fosters personal growth.