Empower People to Enhance Your Power

It is normal that leaders like to hold on their power and some leaders lose no opportunities to show off their position of responsibility. Yet a true leader knows how to enhance his position by delegating responsibility to his followers.

As a leader, you have to know the right times and situation where it is more appropriate and befitting a leader to empower your staff.

Empowerment has to be earned. It is neither a favor done to your favorites. Empowerment brings with it a sense of responsibility and ownership.

Empowerment does not give you the "license to kill". It is not about throwing out the rule book and bypassing everyone who does not agree with you. It rather encourages you to use your freedom to involve people while making decisions which impact them.

Power is not a zero-sum commodity. As a leader, empowering your employees does not mean a reduction in your power. In fact, by giving power you gain power.

Use the following guidelines to empower your people and for building a positive environment.

- Assign important tasks and transfer ownership of work to those who accomplish work.

- Make judicious assessments and provide autonomy and discretion accordingly.

- Create an environment in which everyone yearns to be responsible.

- Provide visibility and recognition to performers.

- Encourage and help subordinates develop their personal capabilities.

- Help them build strong relationships.

In this process, you not only rise above petty politics; but also earn a lot of respect. No wonder, self-satisfaction is something reserved for king makers and not the kings. What Theodore Roosevelt (26th President of US) said a hundred years ago is no less relevant even today, "The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants to be done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it."

Author Tim Ferriss says, "Changing the world doesn't require much money. Again, think in terms of empowerment and not charity. How much were Gandhi's teachers paid? How much did it cost to give Dr. Martin Luther King the books that catalyzed his mind and actions?"

Yes, the investment made in people delivers the most profitable returns, undoubtedly!

Gibson Nyendwa