One of the essential principles of leadership is the ability and willingness to empower others. When we empower others, we respect and support their innate abilities. As we empower others, we are empowered in the process, which enhances our own satisfaction and happiness.
So how do we set up an environment that empowers people?
- Encourage others to find their own solutions – We all know ourselves better than anyone else knows us, and we invariably know what solutions can work best for us. The best way to help people is to draw the answers from them as opposed to offering advice. It is better to facilitate a response than to give an opinion or suggestion. Our role in empowering others, therefore, is to facilitate the process of helping them find the solution that will work best for them.
- Give people what they need to succeed and then let go – The keys to empowering at a group level are to involve the group in goal setting, take time to train if necessary, be available if required and then let go. Allow the group to choose whatever strategies work best for them and then simply relinquish your control over the results. You then allow their natural creativity, energy and commitment to emerge organically through the process rather than imposing your expectations on them.
- To retain control, you must give up control – the more we let go of our control, the more in control we actually are. But the best results come when we empower people and not overpower them. This requires belief in the inherent ability of people, a willingness to provide adequate training where necessary, and the skill to help others run the organization.
As we encourage others to find their own solutions to the challenges in their lives, we respect their inherent self worth. The more we do this, the more empowering we become. As we see the difference we make in their lives, our lives become easier, more relaxed, and harmonious, and we experience the inner satisfaction and joy that come from being a true leader.