From Disempowerment to Empowerment: A Leader's Guide

We've all had moments where, despite our best intentions, we've inadvertently disempowered others. It may stem from a desire to "fix" things quickly because of time constraints or resource pressures, and often is mixed with our own narrative of solving it all.

We might jump in with a solution or decide it's easier to do it ourselves, it will take less time.

Leadership isn't just about what we do, it's how we use and share power, shifting our internal narrative so those around us RISE. It requires a deliberate, conscious approach.

Empowerment at its heart is a deliberate act of delegating decision-making. It's entrusting our team with the autonomy needed to act and grow. When we empower our people, we are investing our time in them, and indirectly displaying our belief in them and confidence in ourselves.

Empowered teams are confident, capable, and accountable, creating a ripple effect on the teams capacity and achievements, leading to higher engagement and thriving.

When Leaders intentionally lift those around us, everything rises.

Empowerment isn't a single action but a continuous thread woven into every act of leadership.

It's about building others up to achieve better outcomes for everyone. Here's what an empowered workplace looks like:

• Support, not solutions: time and space for people to explore and find their own answers.

• Power with, not power over: Building accountability collectively

• Delegate: Delegating responsibilities with appropriate support, including new opportunities, not just passing off tasks or the opposite, micromanaging.

• RiseUP: Challenge and stretch others beyond their comfort zones.

• Clear communication: We ensure everyone has the necessary context, information, and a shared understanding of goals, fostering transparency and trust.

• A strengths-based approach: Recognize and value the unique skills and talents each person brings to the team and encourage their passions and interests.

Delegation is often the biggest hurdle for leaders, they struggle with this, claiming they have time pressures or fear a drop in standards. Overcoming this requires a mindset shift to see delegation as a pathway to building the team's capacity, which ultimately, positively impacts our resource pressures.

Instead of avoiding delegation, try these strategies;

• Delegate in stages and include check-ins with micro-milestones.

• Be clear about what's being delegated and why.

• Share all relevant information and provide context.

• Coach and provide mentors to your team member.

Empowerment is a continuous journey and dynamic due to the changing nature of our teams. By being intentional with our actions and embracing a culture of shared power, we drive better outcomes for our entire community.

To find out more information about how we can help your Leaders build the skills needed to empower others, reach out. Our workplace culture and leadership programs incorporate empowerment strategies for all levels of leadership.