That is a question that comes up now and again...as leaders we need to help those around us give the right answer.
A few years ago, one of my children came home and shared what his teach taught them about rephrasing and reframing the "I can't" statement. They were now to convert the "t" to "try" and switch to saying "I can try" whenever the "I can't" pops in their heads. This is also very relevant for us as leaders and followers alike.
As leaders, it is not enough to ask those in our sphere of influence to rephrase and reframe, we need to do our part to help and "re-position" them by empowering them. To do this successfully, we need to do these things:
The first thing to consider when you want to empower someone is ask yourself,
"Will I be ENHANCING" or Endangering this individual's career?"
Enhance means "intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of."* Endanger means to put at risk.*
There are many opportunities for people to sink or swim and as leaders we must be very thoughtful when we ask those around us to take those opportunities. Empowering others must always result in enhancing, not endangering, them and their careers.
Monitor, not Micromanage. Whenever you empower a person or people, you serve them best by monitoring not micromanaging them. One thing I have learned at work with my team and at home with my children is that everyone needs to make a mistake or two and more importantly learn from it.
The reason why you need to monitor them is to ensure that they do not make mistakes that would endanger or even end their careers.
Praise progress versus poke holes. For some people, it is so easy to focus on what is not going well versus all that is going well. I usually say to those around me that I like celebrating small successes - because they lead to more significant successes.
The example that always comes to mind is a child learning to walk. Have you noticed that as you smile, praise and celebrate the child's first few steps versus the falls the child gleams with pride and wants to get right up and take more steps.
Open doors versus creating obstacles or opposition. When you empower someone, you should truly desire to see them succeed not see them stumble. One thing is certain in life, there will be challenges and remember we said individuals need to be given free rein within certain boundaries to make and learn from their own mistakes. However, that is not to say that we should then create opposition or obstacles in their way - rather as part of being in "Monitoring Mode" ask what doors they think they need your help to open. As you coach them, they could realize that they had the key to that door all along...
Work don't just wish. It is imperative to help those you empower to realize the wishing only takes you so far in life.
I like this statement by Michael Jordan,
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen and others make it happen."
Expect,
don't expel, questions. An Irish Poet James Stephens said: "We get wise by
asking questions, and even if these questions are not answered, we get wise,
for a well-packed question carries its answer on its back as a snail carries
its shell." This quote is one reason why we should train and
empower others to ask questions.
It also opens a new pathway for them as leaders because American Author John Maxwell rightly said: “Any leader who asks the right questions of the right people has the potential to discover and develop great ideas.”
The 3rd reason is based on a Nigerian proverb: "He who asks questions, never gets lost" - rather they get lots of guidance and wisdom they need for the journey ahead.
Recognize and reward the individual(s) and all those who supported the empowered person/people. Aspiring leaders need to realize that they cannot succeed on their own. Recognizing the importance of teamwork will help individuals lean towards collaboration where they complement (and even compliment) those they work with versus compete with them.
This recognition should also include a look-back and review of the lessons learned from their successes and failures.
Empowering others is a key strategy for leaders to develop other leaders - and only confident and caring leaders do this.
Feel free to send me questions on this or other leadership topics:
References:
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