11/ 07/ 2007
by Maggie Flynn
Are your employees confident in their ability to do their jobs? Do they have the resources they need to do their work well? Or are they afraid of making mistakes and constantly trying to pass responsibility over to someone else? From superior customer service to a healthy bottom line, empowered employees will make your business stronger and more successful. The following tips will help you make sure your employees feel empowered.
Clearly delegate responsibilities
Letting employees know that certain jobs within the company are theirs exclusively will motivate them to perform these tasks well. Work with employees until they are confident in their ability to perform certain functions for your business, and then show your trust in them by stepping back and letting them take over.
Another advantage of delegating responsibilities is that it ensures all business tasks will be tackled more efficiently. When responsibilities aren't clearly assigned, employees can always claim that they thought someone else would do the work—and you'll end up carrying out a lot of tasks that your employees could easily handle.
Adopt an open door policy
To feel empowered, employees must feel comfortable talking to their boss. Even if you're swamped, show your employees you care about them by taking time to listen to their concerns and answer their questions. If staff members are hesitant to approach you, they might make mistakes that will make the situation worse for both of you. Assure employees that you always have the time to help them with difficult situations.
Acknowledge employee success
While empowered employees enjoy the satisfaction a job well done and don't necessarily need rewards dangled in front of them, it’s still a good idea to promote a company culture that recognizes strong work. When employees reach important milestones or even anniversaries with your business, buy a cake and publicly acknowledge their achievements. Knowing that they are appreciated will give your staff even more confidence in the work.
Help employees develop skills
Showing office members that you value their professional development is another great way to empower them. You could occasionally hold professional seminars in your workplace or ask employees to attend conferences with you. Noticing employee aptitudes and mentoring them in those areas can also be an effective way build their skills and make them more confident in their work.
Give as much autonomy as you can
While offering some flexibility in work schedule and the option of part-time telecommuting are a great way to make employees feel empowered, they may not be viable solutions for your business. Still, when inevitable conflicts come up, do your best to show employees that you value them by being understanding and trying to work out an option that feels right for both of you.
Ask for employee feedback
Regularly checking in with employees about how they feel about their jobs and the direction of your business is a win-win situation. Employees in your business will be reassured that they have a say in the operations of the company, making them feel more vested and confident in their roles. And you will gain a greater insight into what’s working and what’s not working from the people who—next to you—know your business best.
For employee feedback to work as a way to make employees feel empowered, you will, of course, have to show that you've actually listened to their opinions. If you ask them to fill out a survey (anonymously if you want to get the most candid results), call a meeting to discuss the feedback. While no one would expect you to implement every single suggestion your employees make, simply taking the time to address their concerns will go a long way to making them feel good about their place in your business.
