Nobody Washes A Rental Car

My CEO just hit me with this particular bit of wisdom. And he’s right…we tend to put more effort into the things that we own. From my own experience, I’ve never washed a rental car and I’m more invested in the home that I own now than my previous home, which I rented. So, what are the implications of this?

As managers and executives…our employees will commit more fully to a project or task in which they feel they have some kind of ownership. Makes sense, right? Though, how many times do we plan and create projects and then start immediately delegating tasks? To seem benevolent, we might label the exercise as visionary leadership, but it’s just another form of power/control. That’s not to say that it isn’t okay to have a vision; we just have to remember that the best visions are those that incorporate the ideas and passions of our employees.

As employees…okay, say you’re working for the benevolent visionary leader, what then? Some choices include whining about the fact that you have little control over your work; or taking the more challenging (and I won’t lie, dangerous) path of making the task or project your own. Have an idea that deviates from the vision but believe will work? Do some homework and research why your idea will work and how you plan to implement it. Be thorough and dogged in your approach. And, if after making a few efforted pitches and your boss or project manager still doesn’t give them fair consideration, then perhaps it’s time to go someplace where your ideas will be taken fairly and seriously.

And as professionals…when we take ownership of something, there’s always a price to caring for it. If you’re serious about your career, then now is the time to own it. If you’re treating your career and your life like a rented 1984 Ford Escort, maybe it’s time to step up and become the owner of a shiny new Porsche (or if you’re more ecologically-minded, a Toyota Prius). Just make whatever it is fully your own.