Lean Musings and other stuff...

You got it, now what?

Occasionally, I show up in settings as a participant and member of a broader audience. In those settings, because I’m not a speaker or facilitating, I get a chance to listen and observe the other participants and the vibe or energy of the group in that setting. In that, I always tend to learn something. The past few weeks were an example of that.

The accumulation, granting of, use of, or loss of power feels like something we all participate in, but understand vaguely. That’s not an indictment on anyone. I don’t remember the class in college that explained how you are given power (or not), how you accumulate power (or give it away), or even how you use it well, assuming you have it.

It's a complex topic that creates a wide array of reactions based on who you talk to. But, I’d like to offer up some thoughts on power:

• Power can often be granted based on where you were born, the family you were born into, and the options that afforded you – or not
• Power can be gathered by which accomplishments you’ve had and the value those accomplishments have to others – or not
• Power can be granted to those who haven’t had the benefit of points one and two in the form of opportunity platforms, support mechanisms , and when those who have power choose to advocate for those that don’t – or not

Those thoughts are certainly not an exhaustive list of power dynamics. You can get yourself into a fairly heated exchange when you start assessing if and when others have power based on their particular circumstances. Assuming you have some, it can get really heated if you start asking questions about what they’ve chosen to do with whatever they’ve been given or acquired. If you have it, what are you doing with it?

Verbs like chasing, hoarding, abusing, enabling, serving, advocating, sharing, and serving can be challenging for those that have never been asked the question – what am I doing with whatever power I have?

That’s where I found myself over the past few weeks. As I listened, I kept thinking about the words power versus empower. In any given setting, I would see people exercise authority as “power over” others and then see others exercise “power with” as they chose to give away or yield power to those they didn’t have to.

A fundamental concept embedded in Lean Six Sigma is the idea that people are often caught in poorly designed processes or weighed down by vague, outdated, or missing policy. By definition, they often just need to be empowered to seek a solution by someone who has the skills and perspective afforded by Lean Six Sigma. That’s you by the way. Being a Problem Solver is an ongoing exercise in transferring your “power” to others. Teaching, coaching assisting are all choices to give away what you know to the benefit of others.

So, as someone who has been given much and tries to give it all away, ask yourself – what have I done with whatever I’ve been given?

My guess is more than you know, but also, there is much more to do.