The concept of empowerment has been around for a long time and yet it is still under-utilised in business today. According to research a number of issues exist that would benefit from greater empowerment within business
- We have a lack of engagement in our teams
- Our middle managers are noted for lack of people leadership skill
- Most businesses focus on short term results and performance.
Most businesses haven’t realised the full power of empowerment. These issues paint that picture. By embracing empowerment, business can benefit from unleashing the power of their people. However, what holds us back is the lack of will-power and commitment and the want of a quick fix. Let me share with you a story.
Rex.
- To empower, means we share power and spread it around. Many leaders hoard power
- Our belief system prevents us. If we believe people are fundamentally lazy and don’t want responsibility, we will remain bound by this belief.
- The leaders most responsible for the implementation of strategy and the ultimate effectiveness of it, our middle managers, are our least trained and developed.
- Our patience for results ensures we are always looking for a quick fix. This negates the process we need to go on to ensure the effectiveness of empowering our people.
Process to Empower
- As the leader, you need to own the process and champion it
- As a leader, understand what you can empower and what you must do for yourself.
- Your people have to go on a course. They must understand the guidelines, align to the vision and strategy and have the confidence to use their own best judgement
- Power is released slowly as the team member builds
- Empowerment is much like the playing field for a football game. Help them understand what they can do while on the field, but also where they step out of bounds. Clear guidelines are needed.
Empowerment helps drive engagement within your team and when you have engagement, you have people who are psychologically committed to you and your business and driving success.
What do you need to do to bring empowerment into you workplace? What is the first step? Are you committed to it’s success?
Tony Curl
Email Marketing You Can Trust