Thoughts On Empowerment

Only secure leaders give power to others. That is the law of empowerment. On the other hand insecure leaders usually fail to build teams. This is usually due to the following reasons… First, they want to maintain control over everything for which they are responsible or they fear being replaced by someone more capable. In either case leaders who failed to promote teamwork undermine their own potential and erode the best efforts of the people with whom they work. Second, naïveté. They naïvely underestimate the difficulty of achieving big things. As a result they tried to go it alone. Some people who start out in this group turn out OK in the end. When they discover that their dreams are bigger than their capabilities, they realize they won’t accomplish their goals solo and they adjust. They make team building their approach to achievement. But some others learn the truth too late and as a result never accomplish their goals. And that’s a shame. Third, temperament. Finally some people aren’t very outgoing and simply don’t think in terms of team building and team participation. As they face challenges it never occurred to them to enlist others to achieve their goal. People have been known to achieve more as a result of working with others than against them. It takes a team to do anything of lasting value. Besides even the most introverted person in the world can learn to enjoy the benefits of being on a team. And that’s true even if he or she isn’t trying to accomplish something great.