No matter how ambitious, talented, or self-disciplined you are, at some point it becomes necessary to involve other people in achieving results and building effective productivity.
Empowerment is the means for accomplishing these goals. Empowerment is the creation of a motivational climate that releases power, resources, and responsibility to each team member to foster maximum involvement, commitment, and desired results. Empowerment extends productivity beyond the organizational skill and knowledge of one person; it is the art of enabling others to take action.
Empowered Delegation
Effective delegation attitudes can be taught and learned. Because of people’s diverse backgrounds, these attitudes come more naturally and are more easily understood by some people than by others. When desire is present, however, any attitude or personality trait can eventually be developed. Continually observe leaders around you, glean ideas from books and articles, make a conscious decision to infuse your thought processes with positive ideas and belief in others, and encourage appropriate team behavior. Here are several actions you can use regularly to set the stage for an empowered delegation environment:
- Think and talk in terms of “we,” not just “me.”
- Recognize that mistakes are part of the learning process.
- Replace the word “failure” with other words in your vocabulary: mistake, learning experience, or test.
- Know your personal strengths and limits.
- Set healthy boundaries for your personal time and involvement based on your personal goals.
- Rotate leadership responsibility for meetings and projects when appropriate.
- Include all contributors’ names on reports, memos, and other communication.
- Constantly communicate and repeat your reason for working together.
- Be available for others; at the same time, encourage resourcefulness and creativity.
Effective delegation gives the message: “Do whatever it takes; you have the talent!”
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