In the quest for a meaningful existence, the power of service lies not merely in providing immediate aid but in instilling long-term capabilities and confidence in individuals.
In my book, “Spark: Journey from Success to Significance”, we explore the transformative impact of service when we use our resources, time, and skills to empower others, enabling them to actualize their potential for purposeful living.
So, how do you empower people to be their best?
Here are 6 ways to empower others:
1. Lead by example:
Demonstrate desired behaviours and actions rather than talking about them. Being authentic and committed to your values and principles can help inspire others to be true to themselves, fueling their growth and transformation.
2. Share Knowledge and Experiences:
Sharing your knowledge and experiences can bring clarity and insights, helping to foster connection and collaboration. Recounting your experiences, including struggles and setbacks, requires bravery. But it also holds the power to empower others to unleash their grit and determination to overcome obstacles. This collective sharing can also prompt a larger dialogue in society, breaking barriers to confront issues and creating social impact.
3. Listening with your totality:
Listening with your totality—your mind, body, and spirit—can help the speaker feel validated and supported. It requires you to set aside your ego and listen with your undivided attention, without getting distracted or using that time to form counterarguments or to suggest solutions while the other person is still speaking. It means allowing the other person the space to express themselves without fear of judgment. Listening can be one of the best ways to show someone you care.
4. Encourage Problem-Solving:
Whether it’s your team at work, a support group you volunteer at, or a children’s football team you coach, resist solving problems for others. Instead, pose challenges and empower people to devise their solutions. Instead of offering suggestions, offer guidance and resources that enable others to chart their course. Foster an environment where they get an opportunity to boost their mental toughness and feel confident in their abilities to overcome adversity. Helping someone gain self-confidence is one of the best ways to help develop emotional resilience.
5. Stand up for Justice:
Empowerment includes advocating for one’s rights and others. Speaking against injustices, whether to challenge unethical practices, bullying behaviors, or simply enable diverse perspectives, helps us and others to persevere for what is just and fair. This can not only help foster equality and inclusivity around you but also promote your inner strength.
6. Help create or foster a support network:
An active support system can help provide an inclusive and nurturing environment for people to pool their resources and exchange ideas and experiences, enabling transformative change for everyone. Besides offering emotional support, strong networks also create wider access to essential information and opportunities.
Empowering service can become a vessel for transformation, enabling individuals to shape their destinies and lead fulfilling lives.
What are your thoughts on serving in a way that empowers others?