The Power of Empowerment:
Conscious Leadership fosters innovation and self-worth
As the world becomes increasingly complex, Conscious Leadership has emerged as a critical practice in organizations. Empowerment, one of its essential practices, is fundamental for innovation, creativity, and self-worth. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of empowerment in Conscious Leadership and its impact on organizations.
In this post (click to jump to content):
- Empowerment to purpose
- Autonomy empowers and produces innovation.
- Empower colleagues by serving their vision.
- Bring Colleagues out from the shadows into the light.
- Establish a non-judgmental environment en route to empowerment.
- What can you do now to make your contribution count?
By Suzanne F. Stevens, Conscious Leadership and Social Contribution Cultivator, Founder, YouMeWe Social Impact Group Inc., Part of the Nobody Wants to Work Series.
Empowerment to Purpose
While in Kenya, I was honored to interview Norah Odwesso, Public Affairs and Communications Director for Coca-Cola Central East & West Africa, for the YouMeWe Amplified Podcast. Before having a public relations role, she was a practicing accountant. However, she craved to connect more to the community and wanted to shift into public relations. Her boss created a path for the transition. (Check out Norah’s interview at https://podcast.youmewe.ca/norah-odwesso/ )
Many breadcrumbs could have directed the transitions, such as support through re-education, additional schooling, attending webinars, or trying her hand at writing a press release.
As Norah’s title suggests, she did make a move and was highly successful in this new role. Today, Norah is the Senior Director of Social Impact at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.
The best part is that by empowering Norah, she believes: “I am living right in the middle of my purpose — that is success.”
Autonomy empowers and produces innovation.
TRUST is essential. The more autonomy leaders give, the more empowered colleagues become and the more innovation you’ll experience. When leaders trust their colleagues to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and try new things, they create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. By giving autonomy, leaders empower their colleagues to think outside their ‘job’ and develop new solutions to complex problems.
Empower colleagues by serving their vision.
Conscious leaders Learn their colleagues’ vision for their careers and life. They seek ways for their organization to serve it. Get to know colleagues’ interests and be deliberate about offering them well-aligned opportunities. When leaders serve their colleagues’ vision, they create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. They are also developing opportunities for their colleagues to grow and evolve in areas they are passionate about, increasing colleague retention. (I feel like I’ve said that before 🙂
Bring Colleagues out from the shadows into the light.
Conscious leaders understand that there are people in their organization who are more capable in certain areas than themselves. Give colleagues the space to get out from behind your shadow and put them into the light. Don’t lead for ego’s sake but lead for service’s sake. When leaders give their colleagues the space to shine, they create an environment that fosters collaboration and encourages everyone to contribute their unique skills and talents—again, providing opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
Establish a non-judgmental environment en route to empowerment.
Encourage colleagues to add their perspectives. Creating an environment without judgment is critical in establishing a collaborative culture. Leaders can enhance their facilitation skills by asking open-ended questions and actively listening to their colleagues’ ideas.
To encourage the entire team to embed this non-judgemental practice, a leader can provide inclusive training or conscious conversation development (happy to help). Perhaps gamify interrupting. Or incorporating a philosophy of building on ideas by encouraging “yes and” language after a view is tabled. This collaborative approach will encourage colleagues to share their perspectives and contribute to the organization’s success.
Empowerment is an essential practice of Conscious Leadership, as it is
fundamental for innovation, creativity, and self-worth. When leaders trust their colleagues, serve their vision, and give them the space to shine, they create an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and
innovation.
What can you do now to make your contribution count?
As a leader, you can start practicing empowerment by allowing your colleagues to shine by presenting a solution or an initiative to other colleagues or clients. By sitting on the bench for this one, you can assess strengths and areas of training and coaching.
I just happen to know someone who can assist with persuasive presentation skills. (wink)
Let’s do this! 