The definitions for empowerment can vary “considerably from the sharing of power and decision making with employees through delegation, to enabling ad motivating employees by building feelings of self-efficacy” (p.292). The text goes on to explain that in order for an employee to feel empowered they must feel like they are capable of performing the job and possess the authority to decided how to do the job well.
I think that this is so true. If an employee feels powerless they are not going to be happy with their job position and they are most likely not going to fulfill the success for the job. It’s an ongoing process and it is a huge important task for the seniority members of the business to play a supportive role in ensuring that the employees feel empowered.
Starting a new job is always stressful for me because that is when I definitely feel powerless. I love it when I finally reach that comfort place of confidence in the tasks that I am performing on the job. Once I reach that place I am able to feel empowered because I can just move along day to day knowing my place and where and how to do the work without having to ask a lot of questions and have my work double-checked by a seniority member. Like I said, empowerment is an ongoing process and it’s only going to work out through an employee manager relationship of effective communication.
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What a wonderful post! I loved learning about leadership. I think empowerment is extremely important in the workplace. In one's personal life, it is so important to feel inspired and able to achieve anything. The same goes for the workplace. As you said, powerless employees may be less content and less willing to work to their capacity than empowered employees. I agree with you about starting new jobs. I worked as an intern in Scotland last summer and the first few weeks I was lost and uncomfortable. But once I learned what I would be doing and what daily tasks were like, I felt much more empowered and eager to do a great job.
ReplyDeleteStarting at a new job or even a new class might be incredibly intimidating, especially if you're slightly out of your comfort zone. Empowerment by your peers and upper management is very key to feeling that sense of accomplishment and belonging. I remember working for a doctor, as a receptionist, when I was in high school. This doctor loved telling me all the things I didn't do properly or how I should change what I was trained to do. However, when I changed my work tasks to his liking, I never got acknowledgment about it. It was really frustrating and I definitely felt powerless while I worked there. A good kick in the ass is necessary sometimes, but a pat on the back can really make improvements.
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