Empowerment is one of the three key principles of servant leadership in the workplace.*
Here are 5 ways servant-leaders empower others at work.
- Servant-leaders empower others by delegating to them. In other words, they share organizational authority appropriately when they have it. They know that this kind of empowerment gives people a stake in outcomes, increases innovation and raises employee engagement.**
- Servant-leaders empower others by educating them. The growth and development of people is a one of the three priorities of a servant-leader. Inevitably, part of that growth and development comes through education.
Servant-leaders tend to be good teachers. They help their followers gain the knowledge they need to do their jobs. Why? Because, scientia potentia est – knowledge is power!
- Servant-leaders empower others by encouraging them. Courage is a special form of power. It’s mental or moral strength to withstand danger, fear or difficulty. I’ve known many servant-leaders who are masters in the art of encouragement. Indeed, the right words at the right moment can be life-changing.
- Servant-leaders empower other by spreading good gossip about them. A good reputation, recognition as an expert and being well liked: all these things are sources of power within the workplace. So, servant-leaders spread “good gossip” – a form of PR that increases the standing of another person in the organization. It’s a great way to empower others.****
- Servant-leaders empower others by watching out for their physical health. To be most effective in the workplace – to be the most powerful – people should take care of themselves, physically. (Getting enough sleep, for example, seems to be critical.) The best servant-leaders at work watch for burnout among their followers. They want to help their followers stay healthy.
What do you think? What would you add to the list?
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*Check it out: “Servant Leadership – 3 Workplace Principles.” And see what you think of these posts on power: “5 Ways Servant-Leaders are Generous with Power” and “5 Ways Servant-Leaders Are Good Stewards of Power in the Workplace”.
** No surprise that delegation is one of the three key practices of servant leadership in the workplace: “Servant Leadership – 3 Workplace Practices.” Here’s more on delegation: “4 Distinctive Reasons Servant-Leaders Delegate”
***And here’s more on the priorities of a servant-leader in the workplace: “Servant Leadership – 3 Workplace Priorities”
****Enjoy this one: “Spread Good Gossip!”