A Tale of Empowerment

It was back in the winter of '17. A shadow fell over our town.

A mysterious stranger came rolling in, and said he knew our morale was down.

"If you wanna increase your productivity, it's simple to do that, son.

"What you need is empowered employees, you just let them get the job done."

I was shaking with fear and my team was, too. I couldn't just give up control.

I alone knew best how my business should run. Directing people was my role.

"We don't want that, Mister," the workers said. "Too much responsibility.

"We don't have the experience, knowledge or skills for that kind of culpability."

"That's all perfectly normal," the stranger he said. "Change can be scary at the start.

"You have to face your unconscious assumptions, to master the fear in your hearts."

"But they'll make mistakes!" I objected out loud. "They'll run us right into the ground."

"They'll learn from their mistakes," he said with a grin. "The Empowerment Theory is sound.

"As long as you set clear guidelines and structure, failures won't be liabilities.

"If you offer your guidance but give them some room, you'll grow your people's abilities.

"The key is not to give it all up at once. You gradually hand over power.

"Your new role is mentor, supporter and coach. Trust them and your staff will flower."

With that the stranger he turned and he left. He vanished back into the storm.

But he left us a legacy that changed our world. Empowerment became our norm.

I drew the big picture. I spelled out the needs for the business to prosper and grow.

I gave lots of feedback and kept it constructive, and said, "We'll improve as we go."

We collaborated and trusted each other. Bit by bit everyone learned

To have faith in themselves to get the job done. That's how our success has been earned.

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