If you’re a leader, you’ve probably experienced this: a team member walks into your office (or pings you on chat) and says, “We’ve got a problem.”

Moments later, you find yourself deep in the weeds solving it for them. Again.

It’s not that your team doesn’t care. Often, they’ve just never been taught how to think through a problem before escalating it. Over time, this pattern creates dependency: leaders become bottlenecks, and teams lose confidence in their own decision-making.

That’s where the OWN IT model comes in. It’s a simple framework to help your team members pause, think critically, and take responsible action before handing problems up the chain.

O: Observe

Understand the scope, scale, and impact of the problem. Notice what’s working, what’s off, and what data tells the real story.

W: Weigh Options

Generate 2–3 viable paths. Weigh the pros and cons of these options by considering the risk, impact, cost and timing.

N: Next Steps

Determine which option to recommend and what is needed to influence or implement the solution.

I: Involve Others

Identify who needs to be involved and clarify the level of authority. Can you make decisions, or do you need to get approval?

T: Take Action

Determine what action you need to take and by when.

The next time someone brings you a problem, resist the urge to solve it for them. Instead, use the OWN IT model to coach them through finding the solution. That’s how teams start thinking—and acting—like business owners.