Empowering employees to soar!

Tue, Oct 14, 2014

by Cornelia Moses

for Financial Information Month

An important goal for employers in today’s competitive business environment is to create a working environment in which employees assume or share ownership of specific tasks and projects. Ideally, empowerment increases the employees’ sense of responsibility and accountability; enhances their morale and improves the quality of their work performance, which to a large extent, has a positive impact on organizational success. Empowerment creates employees who are more devoted to the organization’s progress and success. There are a few management actions which can empower employees to soar beyond their potential.{{more}}

1. Adopt an open door policy

An important part of empowering employees is to let them know that their opinions are valuable to you. Adopting an open door policy lets employees know that you care about what they have to say and enables them to give their input and play an active role in the well-being of the organization. An employee who feels involved is an employee who is empowered.

2. Foster Open Communication

Keep the lines of communication clear and in a structured manner so that employees can make their thoughts, feelings and observations known easily and frequently. Help them to understand that their input is valued even if you decide to go a different way. Employees in organizations that are built on top-down communication from management feel that there is no purpose in taking a stand since they have no direct channel and do not feel that their voice will be heard.

3. Invite feedback

Employers can empower their employees by providing frequent constructive feedback, so that they know how well they are performing. Take well-intentioned suggestions into consideration and let employees see that they really do have a role in the overall success of the organization. Acknowledge that their ideas have been looked at and/or implemented.

4. Share leadership vision

Help employees feel that they are part of something bigger than themselves and their individual jobs. Do this by ensuring that they are familiar with and have access to the organization’s overall mission, vision and strategic plans.

5. Promote employee education

Provide a means for employees to obtain training that is necessary to enhance their performance, so that they can master their job responsibilities. Employers can show that they have invested in their employees’ professional success by budgeting dollars and time toward their training and/or arranging for them to attend career development seminars and courses. Not only does this provide for employee empowerment, but it is a great way to gain employee loyalty and improve employee performance.

6. Delegate tasks clearly and concisely

Establish specific roles and responsibilities with employees, so all are clear and can work together co-operatively. Employees who do not know what tasks they are supposed to perform may not execute them very well. Additionally, they need to know their boundaries so that they “do not step on the toes of others” or create inefficiency through redundancy.

7. Appreciate their efforts

While it is true that employees are paid for their jobs, the best employees do not work at an organization just for money. Employees who are empowered need a greater level of satisfaction than simply financial stability. They need to feel that management appreciates their contribution and values their participation. Employers can find ways to say “thank you” or celebrate the good things that their employees do. For example, the efforts of employees can be recognized at staff/department meetings; special awards ceremonies; or through staff circulars.

These are only but a few guiding principles which employers can take on board to empower their employees to soar.