It takes two heads to develop unique solutions. However, unique challenges have prompted business owners to build fast, innovative solutions.
It is powerful to have a team with multiple perspectives and ways of analyzing situations. Owners of companies of all sizes can best utilize their employees during such challenging times by intentionally empowering their employees.
The Importance of Empowering Employees
By empowering your employees, you allow them to take action and make decisions within your organization. In addition, it means that trust and understanding are in place to ensure the steps are in line with the company’s objectives.
Growing a sustainable business requires empowering employees. While one or two entrepreneurs found many companies through their efforts and dedication, actual growth results from many individuals working together. By multiplying yourself (as opposed to a strict leader-follower mindset), you can multiply your organization’s strengths and capabilities.
To help your team through this challenging time while producing high-quality, innovative work, here are a few easy steps:
- Reward Failure
Failure is a part of business for innovative companies. A company’s most valuable employee can fail fast, learn from mistakes, and move quickly to the next version of the product or service. Your employees will iterate on ideas if you provide them with positive feedback. Consider a verbal acknowledgment, a written email, or group recognition over Zoom to convey the importance of trying. Feedback should be specific, timely, and personal.
- Prioritize mentorship
As a result of the recent events, mentorship may have taken a back seat for some leaders. Mentorship is not accessible in remote offices, but that does not mean that you should exclude it entirely. Irrespective of whether you are returning to the office soon or planning to work from home for the remainder of the year now is a good time to critically consider your role as a mentor. Business owners who show genuine interest and care for their employees’ careers encourage their employees to trust their leader and company.
- Include employees in the decision-making process
By soliciting an employee’s opinion on a strategic matter, you open their minds to thinking more deeply about the company’s requirements. An employee who has shifted from a “work, work, work” mentality, and has been tasked with thinking the bigger picture, will likely feel more connected to the organization. In addition, they will be more motivated to go beyond their everyday responsibilities since they know their opinions are valued.
- Delegate to develop
The practice of delegating drudge work is often shortsighted and misses an opportunity to strengthen and empower your team. Charge to develop the capabilities and responsibilities of your employees instead.
- Set clear expectations
Establish the boundaries within which your employee is permitted to act. Establishing clear expectations (but not micromanaging them) allows your employees to make decisions independently, as long as they align with company objectives.
- Give employees autonomy over assignments
It is okay if an employee does not use the same means to get from point A to point B. However, be aware that your employee may complete the task differently than you would. Therefore, do not micromanage, relinquish control, and accept that your way might not be the only (or best) way to complete a project.
- Provide necessary resources
Employees expect their problems to be magically resolved when leaders implement employee empowerment practices in their organizations. Provide tools, resources, and act as a sounding board.
- Give constructive feedback
If you are debriefing on a project, be thoughtful and specific about your feedback. Simply telling a person they did a good job does not provide them with any direction going forward. Instead, describe the specific actions or attitudes you wish to see repeated and impact others.
- Accept ideas and input.
Involve your employees in decision-making and goal-setting whenever possible. Please be open to receiving their ideas and input if they cannot participate in these preliminary processes. As well as empowering your employees, being receptive to new ideas can also allow your organization to discover great new ideas.
- Communicate the vision of the organization
It is becoming increasingly important for employees to feel like contributing to something, rather than just another cog in the machine. By clearly communicating your organization’s vision, along with how each individual in the organization contributes to it, you are empowering your employees with the knowledge that their contribution is making a significant difference.
- Recognize employees for hard work
When you show appreciation for a job well done, a person is more likely to do it again (and even better). Additionally, it will encourage innovation, action, and problem-solving. So be sure to say thanks.
What are the benefits of empowering employees? Imagine your dream team. Do the workhorses follow your instructions strictly (no more, no less)? Could it be a group of knowledgeable individuals who take the initiative and use their skills to problem solve, innovate, and assist the company in reaching its objectives?
We are inclined to believe that it is the latter. Although your company can probably achieve some level of growth under your direct management, authentic and sustainable development can only be accomplished through a capable team of empowered employees.
Conclusion:
Owners of companies of all sizes can best utilize their employees during such challenging times by intentionally empowering their employees. The Importance of Empowering Employees By empowering your employees, you allow them to take action and make decisions within your organization. Provide necessary resources Employees expect their problems to be magically resolved when leaders implement employee empowerment practices in their organizations.
Author Bio:
Sajid Hussain is a senior content specialist at wrightoneconsulting.com with proven digital marketing experience under his belt. He harbors a passion for writing on various topics related to futuristic technologies, innovation, and digital marketing to educate and inspire his readers.
