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When doing a job - any job - one must feel that he owns it, and act as though he will remain in that job forever. He must look after his work just as conscientiously, as though it were his own business and his own money. If he feels he is only a temporary custodian, or that the job is just a stepping stone to a higher position, his actions will not take into account the long-term interests of the organization. His lack of commitment to the present job will be perceived by those who work for him, and they, likewise, will tend not to care. Too many spend their entire working lives looking for the next job. When one feels he owns his present job and acts that way, he need have no concern about his next job.

Hyman G. Rickover#24

ManagementWorkCareerCommitmentOwnershipWork ethic

About this quote

What does it mean?
Treat your job as your own business with long-term care to build trust and commitment.
In plain terms
Act like you own your job and care about its long-term success.
What can you take from it?
Own your current role fully to secure your future.

Where it applies

  • employee management
  • career development
  • organizational culture

Putting it to work

  • job performance
  • leadership training
  • team building

Questions to consider

  • What stops you from owning your job?
  • How does ownership affect your peers?

Another view

It ignores structural factors that limit employee agency.

More from Hyman G. Rickover

  1. It is a human inclination to hope things will work out, despite evidence or doubt to the contrary. A successful manager must resist this temptation. This is pa…

    Permalink to quote #23
  2. To do a job effectively, one must set priorities. Too many people let their 'in' basket set the priorities. On any given day, unimportant but interesting trivi…

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. What it takes to do a job will not be learned from management courses. It is principally a matter of experience, the proper attitude, and common sense - none o…

    Permalink to quote #22

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