Own the Moment

by Jon Close

Mar 09, 2026

Leadership is responsibility—not preference.

When challenges arise, teams look first to the leader—not for answers, but for ownership. Avoidance, delay, or deflection weakens trust quickly.

As John C. Maxwell reminds us, leaders don’t wait for perfect conditions—they step forward.

This Week's Practice

Identify one situation you’ve been postponing:

A decision
A conversation
A course correction

Own it. Address it directly and respectfully-this week.

DISC Insight - How Each Styles Approaches Ownership

D - Dominance (Control/Action/Results)

You step up quickly but may dominate the moment. Own the situation while inviting input. Shared ownership strenghens buy-in.

I - Influence (People/Optimism/Relationships)

You may avoid difficult moments to keep morale high. Own the moments by addressing issues directly-clarity builds respect.

S - Support (Harmony/ Support/Stability)

You may delay action to avoid tension. Own the moment by recognizing that clarity creates safety-even when uncomfortable.

C- Cautious (Accuracy/Risk/Detail)

You may hesistate until all facts are known. Own the moment by acting on the best information available. Leadership requires movement, not certainty.

Bottom Line:

Ownership builds trust.

Purposeful leaders step forward-especially when it's uncomfortable.

Support Builds Confidence

As people grow in skill, they often reach a stage where they can perform but may lack confidence. At this point, leaders shift from directing to supporting-less focus on telling what to do and more on active listening, encouraging and involving them in decisions. Supportive leadership involves listening, encouraging, involving team members in decisions. Ken Blanchard emphasizes that people deve...

Encourage Risk and Learning

Growth requires stepping beyond familiar territory. Yet many people hesitate to take initiatives because they fear making mistakes. Empowering leaders create environments where learning is valued more than perfection. John C. Maxwell reminds us that evaluated mistakes often become our greatest teachers in leadership development. The goal is not avoiding every mistake, but learning from every e...

Coaching Develops Capability

Once people begin gaining skill, they often need encouragement. This stage requires coaching leadership - a balance of direction and support for people who are gaining skill but building confidence. Leaders continue providing guidance while also encouraging confidence and engagement. Ken Blanchard reminds us that coaching leaders help people understand both the task and their growing ability t...