So you’re bringing on new hires… expanding beyond just a single owner.  Well there are two things you can focus on – execution or ownership.  Now I will be the first to say this is totally my opinion but I hate the idea of bringing someone into your company to simply “execute”.

Ownership to me, means not asking “how?”.  I feel for a while anyone new should be helped along, introduced to resources, and made to understand what the company believes.  At some point though, you have to let someone bring their talent to your organization.  If someone is doing what you are telling them to do they are only trying to replicate your talents.  If your talents are all you company needs to succeed, that’s awesome, but you are not someone I want to work with/for.  I believe that every concept, every idea, and every process can be improved by the experiences and talents of different points of view.  You may have created a way of doing something, good for you.  If you pass that way of doing something on to another… don’t look for someone to repeat your process, look for someone to improve it.

On the very basic level I approach my position as one of ownership.  I work for a company with over 250,000 employees, but when I speak to someone outside the company I treat it as if I am an owner.  (I actually own 1 share of Walgreens stock, its more of a statement to myself than an investment.)  When I’m given a problem, while I seek guidance and input, I always take care to think through (worry) if I am actually owning my work.  Is my work a result of my talents or the repetition of someone else’s.

Ownership is an attitude, one that I plan to work with, for, and have work for me.

Thanks for Listening,

Zach West