Treat Everything Like You Own It

People should treat every task, every job, every physical place, and every material thing like it is their own. That means treating it with respect, care, attention, focus, and diligence. Appreciate others’ efforts.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work with talented people while navigating my own path toward what would eventually become The Anthem Group. I put forth effort in the only way I know how: I gave it everything I had. I had no issue working 19-hour days for Erin on field marketing projects. I would not think twice about leaving a task undone — it simply would never cross my mind. I treated her business and her efforts as if they were my own, and we shared goals.

The same was true for Ryan when I held a part-time position with Red Bull. I was all-in and fully committed. I believe in choosing the hard path, which enabled me to never drop an assignment and to voluntarily take on more. My days as a competitive athlete helped shape my mindset and work ethic. My professional experiences — and consistently choosing the harder route — helped solidify that mindset into who I am.

I believe that if everyone treated their work like it was their own, they would perform better and feel more fulfilled. The same is true for making your living space yours and treating your neighborhood like home. The idea of “ownership” does not have to be literal. I did not own the agency where I gained my early experience, and I certainly did not own Red Bull — but I absolutely took ownership of every project and pride in the results.

That is not to say people will naturally feel ownership. It is up to those who actually own the business to create the opportunity, culture, and resources that enable that sense of ownership. I encourage every business leader and owner to build that culture so their team feels valued and empowered to take ownership.

At the same time, I strongly recommend that individuals treat every position, project, or passion as if they own it. Work like you are the owner, and good results will follow. Put your best foot forward and dive in.

By Chris Sinclair
Founder, The Anthem Group