What is empowerment - Presence of trust and initiative LO26186

From: Peggy Stuart (pstuart@c2t2.ca)
Date: 02/21/01


Replying to LO26180 --

Hi Bill and fellow LOites:

"I feel empowerment is one's capacity in using power--it comes from within
and is demonstrated by action. For example, am I speaking up when I
should? Am I offering help when I know I can? Am I listening because I
know I should be learning? Am I responding to this message because I want
to contribute? I have the "power" to do all those things, but my capacity
in exercising that power comes from empowerment."

I sense actual empowerment is two-sided. Your supervisor empowers you. You
accept. You supervisor's actions are primarily indicative of trust. Your
actions are indicative of your capacity for initiative, which is dependent
on your confidence in your abilities, trust in your supervisor, etc.

So "true empowerment" is a cultural aspect containing values, norms and
artefacts that an organisation can support, but not force, formalise,
track, evaluate, etc.

But I am totally over my head in this ...

Anyone have any ideas as to how to best support "true empowerment"?

Regards,

Peg

-- 

Peggy Stuart <pstuart@c2t2.ca>

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