Let’s break open the lid on the belief that power must be kept tightly in order to be effective – BULL S#%T!
Power, like abundance and love, multiplies when you give it away.
That is why I cannot understand why leaders are so afraid to share power and empower others. Last week we discussed micromanagement, but I want to emphatically drive this point home:
Power multiplies when you give it away – really!
Boleman and Deal wrote in Leading with Soul, “When people have a sense of efficacy and an ability to influence their world, they usually seek to be more productive. They direct their energy and intelligence toward making a contribution rather than obstructing progress or destroying their enemies.” At the former Saturn automobile factories, employees were empowered to stop the assembly line any time they see something wrong. The employees held pride and ownership in their product and they became part of the quality control.
Another benefit of shared power is a reduction in conflict.
We often suppress our feelings when we feel powerless. When this happens, our anger can only be contained for so long, then the conflict and anger comes spewing out, oftentimes in a rage or sarcasm. Empowered people empower others.
In a Love-Based Leadership organization, shared power equals shared ownership.
You cannot have one without the other.
How do YOU empower those around you?
With love,
Maria
Need to improve your EQ as a leader? Here’s a quick video on how these three techniques will help your leadership journey away from Fear-based Power.