I never thought I'd write a book about ownership. But life has a funny way of steering us towards our various callings, often through unexpected challenges and painful experiences.

For years, I thrived in Fortune 500 companies, climbing the corporate ladder with a sense of purpose and drive. I was also intrigued by a fascinating phenomenon: Why did some employees act like owners, going above and beyond, while others seemed content to do the bare minimum? This question nagged at me, eventually leading me to focus my Ph.D. research on psychological ownership within organizations.

But that research sat on the shelf until 2020, when I joined a small Christian university. What I encountered there shook me to my core. The vibrant sense of ownership I'd cultivated over my career evaporated within 6 months. I found myself in an environment where initiative was stifled, creativity was discouraged, and a pervasive sense of apathy hung in the air.

I was drowning in a sea of disengagement, and I wasn't alone. Colleagues around me seemed resigned to going through the motions, their passion and drive extinguished. It was a stark reminder of what happens when people lose their sense of ownership at work.
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The Four Keys to Ownership described in Ownership Unlocked is a revolutionary framework for transforming your leadership style and workplace culture to instill the ownership mindset. By implementing these keys you will:

As someone who's spent years in the corporate world and academia studying ownership, I've read countless leadership books. But nothing I could find actually teaches how to inspire ownership specifically. That's why I created Ownership Unlocked and the Four Keys framework.

Here's what truly sets this book apart:

1. Unparalleled Psychological Insight

While many leadership books, like Jocko Willink's Extreme Ownership, advocate for taking ownership at work, "Ownership Unlocked" is the only book on the market that dives deep into the psychology behind ownership. Based on rigorous academic research, it explains the psychological levers that make ownership possible. More importantly, it shows you how to use these levers to inspire genuine ownership in your team. This book doesn't just tell you that ownership is important - it reveals why people take ownership, what prevents them from doing so, and how you, as a leader, can create the conditions for ownership to flourish.


2. Exceptionally Practical Approach

Many leadership books tell great stories but leave you wondering, "What exactly should I do now?" "Ownership Unlocked" is different. At the end of each chapter, you'll find concrete action steps and strategies that you can implement immediately.  These aren't vague suggestions, but specific, actionable tasks designed to help you put the principles into practice - many of which you can start doing today or this week. Whether it's conducting an ownership audit, reshaping your communication style, or redesigning your team's decision-making processes, you'll have clear guidance on how to move forward.

Unlocking ownership in the people on your team is a straightforward process with the Four Keys to Ownership found in the book. Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation

Begin by using the Ownership Audit tool provided in the book. This will help you identify areas where your team's sense of ownership is strong and where it needs improvement. You'll gain a clear picture of your starting point and which of the Four Keys need the most attention.  

Step 2: Apply Each Key

Follow the step-by-step guidance for each of the Four Keys:

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