Feeling Empowered

"This is our job as leaders: to offer positive solutions and empower people. Our duty is to tackle our problems before they tackle us." ~ Paul Ryan

What is the value of a title that we bestow on someone? If we are talking about olden times, if you were dubbed a knight, an earl, a baron, there would be some power, land and wealth that was associated with those titles. At some point in time, the same could be said in a corporation’s organization chart. If you were an AVP (Assistant Vice President), that position came with related responsibilities. Supervisors, Managers, Directors, etc., all were appropriate rungs on a ladder that one climbed throughout their careers. When I was an employee, I had a title and a pay designation that were not the same. As a consultant, both earlier in my career and now, the titles have a different meaning in each company. 

To be fair, change in title does have a meaning within an organization, and can be a way to elevate employees with minimal dollar increases. There are plenty of writings that discuss that most successful people are not motivated by chasing after bigger salaries. It is the jobs (tasks) and challenges that cause us to “rise to the occasion” or cause us to be the exception and happily put out that extra effort that ends up distinguishing ourselves from others. So, is the title enough to inspire others to make the leap in their engagement, output and involvement? Or, do we need to empower the people with the new title, to challenge them, make them feel accountable and give them a sense of pride in ownership. In other words, do we empower them with the responsibility that comes with that title?

All of us have worked with or alongside people that are happy to promote someone only to find out that we are now working for someone that is a “control freak”. As managers or leaders, it is important to empower others as well as to delegate, promote their titles and provide positive feedback. By giving a feeling of empowerment, you have the opportunity to make people feel they are:

• Included in the overall vision – nobody wants to just be a cog in the machinations of business, but instead understand where they fit into the bigger picture
• Part of the decisions – these are the decisions that can impact them directly, otherwise they go back to feeling like they have no say in their outcomes
• Included in various processes – inclusion in related areas broadens one’s sense of purpose and helps to not have a siloed view of the world
• Part of a team – everyone wants to feel that they are part of a group that can make a difference; can help with growth, provide personal motivation and a feeling of belonging
• A voice whose choices count – everyone has a voice and by allowing people to be heard will always help to provide new insights instead of keeping their ideas to themselves
• In control of what you have asked them to handle – a sense of ownership can lead to a pride in ones work and encourage them to take on other tasks.