It has often been said that power corrupts. My last newsletter dealt with the way leadership power can corrupt—how it can affect our attitudes and priorities as leaders. Here’s the sad reality:
POWERLESSNESS also corrupts!
Studies in the workplace show the damaging effects when workers feel powerless—when they feel they have no say; no opportunity to participate meaningfully in their work. Morale plummets, along with worker engagement, motivation, and productivity. If you doubt this, take note of the Chinese factories that have been in the news—the ones with suicide nets surrounding their buildings!
It’s highly unlikely that your workplace will ever see the need for suicide nets. But it’s highly likely that your powerless team members will end up dragging their feet; producing lower quality results; and giving less-than-enthusiastic customer service. Before that happens, take a few simple measures right now to create a team culture of shared power.
Here are a few simple ways to share power with your people:
1. Be open to your team’s ideas for making their work EASIER / BETTER / FASTER / SMARTER / CHEAPER / SAFER. Even better…
2. ENCOURAGE them to share their ideas—tell them you want to hear from them! And be prepared to recognize and affirm their ideas with experimentation and implementation.
3. Whenever possible, involve them in planning the work of the team and distributing the workload more strategically. Try this—give them the opportunity to volunteer for assignments!
4. Ask for their input and help—to solve problems and make better decisions.
5. Involve them in drafting a clear Vision Statement for your team. You will be amazed at how engaged they will be in that process!
6. Share information with them. Tell them what’s happening with your organization; your industry; your markets. Respond to rumor-mongering by giving your team the latest information and facts. Most important…
7. NEVER LET YOUR TEAM BE BLINDSIDED… by bad news; change; or crisis! Make sure your people feel included in the flow of important information, especially when it has a direct impact on their situation, their status, their well-being, or their work!
There are many more ways you can empower your team (my book is filled with them!) If you need help developing an empowering team culture, CALL US. We specialize in equipping supervisors and managers with the skills they need to develop highly-engaged, highly productive teams.
And STAY TUNED to future posts on this blogsite for more great ways to improve your leadership!
And if you are interested in my book, Leading Teams—stop by the “Resources” page for more information about this valuable tool: Resources | The Boss Doctor
Until next time… Yours for better leaders and better organizations,
Dr. Jim Dyke – “The Boss Doctor” ™ helping you to BE a better boss and to HAVE a better boss!
