What does it mean to be an employee owner? If you’ve asked yourself this question, you’re not alone. Many wonder what it truly means to have a stake and say in the success of a business. How do you go beyond doing your job to acting like owners?
The answer lies in cultivating the EO Mindset.
This way of thinking empowers every employee owner to take responsibility for their role in the business’s success, actively contribute to its growth, and feel more connected to the work they do every day.
The Case for the EO Mindset
At its heart, the EO Mindset is about understanding your role as more than just a job title. It’s about believing that you’re a key stakeholder in your business’s success.
This belief inspires actions like taking responsibility, seeking out opportunities to improve, and working collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals.
Why does this matter? For one, the evidence is clear: employee owned businesses tend to outperform their peers.
Research shows that EO businesses are 8-12% more productive than traditional ones. They’re also more profitable and report higher levels of employee satisfaction and motivation.
These outcomes aren’t coincidences, they happen because employee owners take their stake in the business seriously.
But here’s the challenge: not every employee owner naturally thinks or acts this way.
For many, it takes time to understand what employee ownership really means and how to embrace the responsibilities that come with it.
That’s where the EO Mindset comes in.
What is the EO Mindset?
Simply put, the EO Mindset is the belief that you, as an employee owner, play a critical role in the success and wellbeing of your business.
With this belief comes a shift in behaviour. Instead of focusing solely on your own tasks, you start thinking about how your work fits into the bigger picture. You take initiative, hold yourself accountable, and engage in decisions that impact the business.
Over time, this way of thinking leads to a stronger sense of pride and belonging. It helps you see yourself as a true stakeholder—someone whose efforts directly influence the success of the business.
Principles That Shape the EO Mindset
To help make this concept more actionable, we’ve identified five key principles that guide the behaviours of employee owners who exemplify the EO Mindset:
Shared Responsibility
- Take ownership of your work and hold yourself accountable.
- Encourage others to do the same.
- Live the business’s values in everything you do.
Business Literacy
- Take an interest in how the business operates.
- Learn about its goals, governance, and financial health.
- Understand how your role contributes to the bigger picture.
Collaboration
- Work across teams to achieve shared goals.
- Make others feel included and valued.
- Understand that success comes from collective effort.
Continuous Learning
- Look for ways to improve in your role.
- Seek out opportunities to grow your skills and knowledge.
- Reflect on how you can add value to the business.
Championing EO
- Learn about the employee ownership model.
- Advocate for its benefits within and beyond your business.
Why It Matters for You
Developing the EO Mindset isn’t just good for your business; it’s good for you. It’s an opportunity to align your personal goals with the goals of your business, creating a sense of purpose in your work.
When you see yourself as a stakeholder, you begin to take greater pride in your contributions. You feel more connected to the business, knowing that your work has a direct impact on its success. This sense of belonging is critical, especially when you consider how much of your life is spent at work.
The EO Mindset also gives you a framework for thinking about your career. By embracing principles like continuous learning and shared responsibility, you can identify areas for growth, set meaningful goals, and build a fulfilling path for yourself within the business.
How to Get Started
If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey as an employee owner, we invite you to join our brand-new EO Mindset course.
It’s designed to help you understand the principles of the EO Mindset, apply them to your role, and unlock your full potential as a key stakeholder in your business.
Your contribution matters. Your voice matters. And with the EO Mindset, you have the tools to make a lasting impact. Book now and start your journey toward Great EO.