It starts by assuming 100% responsibility for everything - Extreme Ownership
As Jerzy Gregorek in Tribe of Mentors points out; once you assume you are 100% responsible then and only then will you be freed to look for solutions that are within your control.
What if you approached every problem you had in your life assuming three constraints?
- You can’t run from the problem such as changing jobs and
- The actions you will take to solve have to be 100% within your control and
- Your action can’t be just telling someone about the problem.
Bad morale on the team? What are YOU doing?
Bad communication from above and others on the team? What are YOU doing to make it better?
Bad project? What are YOU doing to make it a great project?
Bad customer? What are YOU doing to make them a better customer?
Unhappy with your career? What are YOU doing to make it better?
Unhappy with your teammates? What are YOU doing to make them better?
Unhappy with your boss? How could YOU help them become the best boss you’ve ever had?
See where this is going?
When we are forced to work within constraints we come up with amazing solutions. Put those three constraints listed above around all your problems.
Work with someone who can help you get creative about your solutions and challenge your assumptions about what is possible.
You won’t be 100% successful but with disciplined practice you will truly solve most of your problems. You will also be much happier while doing so.