The people’s capacity
to achieve is determined by the leader’s ability to empower – John Maxwell
Most leaders I know like to believe that they are making a difference
in their organization. Ask most and they will affirm that they are. I’m sure
you are one of them and that you strive to make a difference daily.
But if we take a closer look a different story emerges in
some instances. Research by Gallup (http://bit.ly/1uUCjpX)
in 2014 shows that only 13 percent of all employees are “highly engaged” and 26
percent are “actively disengaged”. While
not all companies have an employee engagement issue as mentioned here there are
leadership lessons to be applied nonetheless.
On what level are leaders making a significant impact in
their organizations if only 13 percent are highly engaged? Where is the reconciliation
point between employers who believe that they are engaged and employees who
believe that they are not? What rubric determines success and failure in this
area?
One of the keys to bridging the gap rests with the leader’s
mandate to empower his or her team. As a leader you are either empowering your
team or you are endangering it. Here are five ways to know the difference.
Empowerment is an
investment of your trust
Trust is essential to your success as a leader. You must
first earn the trust of the people that you lead. Without trust you have
nothing. But your investment as a leader in your people is a game changer when
you unleash their potential to perform. When empowered and trusted the
commitment level of your team members will go through the roof and performance
will be off the charts. But this is where it begins or ends.
As a leader you endanger your organization and your team if
you do not trust them and empower them to do their jobs.
Empowerment is an
acknowledgment of your security
Leaders who are secure in their own strengths and abilities
have no pause to empower others. Only secure leaders can give power away. It’s
based upon the first principle mentioned here- trust. Confident and secure
leaders set the tone and raise the bar for all leaders in their organization to
follow. Show me a leader who is secure in his or her leadership and their
ability to empower others and I will show you a confident team moving forward.
As a leader you endanger your team when you allow your
insecurities to cloud your judgment and disrespect your people. Get over
yourself and empower your people.
Empowerment is an
expression of your adaptability
The old adage says that change is the only constant. Your
relevance as a leader is connected to your ability to change. By empowering
your people and unleashing their creativity you position your organization to stay
current and competitive. Empowerment is a great change agent and without it you
render your organization irrelevant.
As a leader you endanger yourself and your team when you
lose your capacity to change. Keep your values intact and remain grounded to core
principles, but always be willing to change your methods.
Empowerment is a
reflection of your culture
Name any of the top successful companies you’d like such as
Google, Apple, Amazon, Starbucks, Verizon, FedEx, Walt Disney, etc. and you
will find that a culture of empowerment is a shared trait. Engaged leaders are
attentive and intentional about creating a culture where people are valued,
respected, trusted, and empowered. It’s the secret sauce of success.
As a leader you endanger your team and the culture that
could be enjoyed by hoarding the power. It’s not about how much power you have but in how much you give away.
Empowerment is the
blueprint of your success
Your growth and development as a leader comes with certain
responsibilities and obligations. It’s to empower those around you and the next
generation of leaders who follow. Simply put; it’s not about you. The level of
success you wish to achieve is proportional to your commitment to empower those
around you. A sampling of your blueprint to success for you and tour team
should read like this: empowered, equipped, trusted, engaged, committed, etc.
Is the picture becoming clearer?
As a leader you endanger your team and its future by
neglecting the responsibilities of your leadership. Your leadership can make
greater impact and be more rewarding when you realize it’s simply a tool of
empowerment.
Are you empowering or endangering?
© 2016 Doug Dickerson
*For more information on my Employee Engagement workshop visit:
http://bit.ly/1LyApZU
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