{ restrict: 'E', templateUrl: '…', controller: function() { this.select = function() { this.selectedItem = this.item; } }, controllerAs: 'myCtrl', scope: { item: '=', selectedItem: '=' }, bindToController: true } }); <passenger-card item="myPassenger" selectedItem="selected"> </passagier-card> <a ng-click="myCtrl.select()"> … </a>