Extreme Ownership for Your Chiropractic and Healthcare Practice and Job
- Ed Petty
- 48 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Jacko Willink, Navy SEAL
A few years ago, I participated in a community outreach project that provided education and other services to underprivileged children in Milwaukee.
My particular service was an athletic program for kids from 7 to 15 years old. Our class lasted an hour from 7 pm to 8 pm.
At the beginning of each class, I would bring up a word or a subject that we would discuss. For example, I might bring up the word "compassion," "courage," or even "study." My thinking was that physical education was important, but it was also a doorway to other forms of education.
There was one evening in particular that remains unforgettable.
Most of the children were boys and were not always the most cooperative. They had tough daily lives and were often agitated at the beginning of our class. I was usually able to get them together at the beginning and get their attention.
This one evening, the word I wanted to discuss was "responsibility." I asked the group if anyone could define it. I knew it might be a challenging one to define.
There was a pause. Some of the kids were talking and looking around. Suddenly, over on my left and in the back, a thin young boy raised his hand. I called on him. Everyone looked at him.
He said one word. "OWNERSHIP."
The room became oddly quiet.
I hadn't expected this definition. I asked him what he meant, and boy simply explained that when you take responsibility for something, you also take ownership for it. I told the boy that was a great definition and congratulated him!
The group and I discussed the concept for a few minutes and then went on with our exercises.
But I don't think there could be a better definition of responsibility.
EXTREME OWNERSHIP
On our MBA program for chiropractors and other healthcare offices, we discuss responsibility – and how it applies to individual staff performance as well as patient compliance and retention.
We all watch a TED talk (link below) by Jocko Willink. Mr Willink is a Navy SEAL who describes an incident in combat in Iraq. It is a riveting story demonstrating how SEAL members take responsibility for their actions.
The name of his talk is Extreme Ownership. Here is an example:
"…. Unlike a team where no one takes ownership of the problems and therefore the problems never get solved, with us, everyone took ownership of their mistakes. Everyone took ownership of the problems. And when a team takes ownership of its problems, the problems get solved. And that is true on the battlefield. It is true in business and it is true in life.
"So I say, take ownership. Take extreme ownership. Don't make excuses, don't blame any other person or any other thing. Get control of your ego. Don't hide your delicate pride from the truth. Take ownership of everything in your world, the good and the bad.
"Take ownership of your mistakes. Take ownership of your shortfalls, take ownership of your problems, and then take ownership of the solutions that will get those problems solved.
"Take ownership of your mission. Take ownership of your job, of your team, of your future and take ownership of your life.
"And lead. Lead. Lead yourself and your team and the people in your life. Lead them all."
I'll never forget that night. Or that boy, and the direct honesty in which he defined for all of us that night, responsibility.
Take ownership of your future. Encourage others to do the same.
Stay Goal Driven!
Ed
Video:
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