How to Empower Your Team
Whether as a parent, manager, employee, or instructor, most of us will experience leadership at some point in our lives. Yet, stepping into a leadership role doesn’t always come naturally. Many of us grapple with the fear of being in charge, doubting our ability to get people to “do as they’re told” or manage crises effectively when things go wrong. The thought of leading a group can be intimidating, especially when we feel unworthy of the responsibility.
However, leadership is not about command and control. Recent insights into leadership emphasize a more empowering approach, which can lead to more effective and harmonious teams. Let’s explore this concept further.
How Not to Approach Leadership
A common mistake many leaders make is believing that they need to “command” or “shape” their team members. This mindset often stems from seeing their team as malleable, like dough, that needs to be molded into a specific form. This approach can lead to resistance and disengagement, as team members feel controlled rather than valued.
Research by Daniel Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, shows that traditional methods of motivation, like rewards and punishments (the carrot and stick approach), are not only ineffective but can also backfire. Pink’s research indicates that these tactics can diminish intrinsic motivation and creativity, leading to less engagement and lower-quality work.
Consider the drawbacks of working solely for a reward:
- Focus Shift: When people work only for a reward, their attention shifts from the task at hand to the end goal – the reward itself. This mindset can lead to rushed work that lacks quality and creativity.
- Creativity Stifling: Studies show that focusing on rewards can actually hinder creativity. When individuals are fixated on a reward, they tend to stick to safe, conventional thinking rather than exploring innovative solutions.
- Dependence on Direction: Constantly dictating tasks to your team prevents them from developing the ability to work independently. This dependence on direction can limit their growth and the overall potential of the team.
A More Empowering Approach to Leadership
An alternative, more effective approach is to make the work itself the incentive. The goal is to ensure that everyone on your team is genuinely invested in the work and shares the same objectives. This strategy fosters self-motivation and reduces the need for constant oversight.
Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist and author of Give and Take, suggests that leaders who empower their teams by giving them autonomy, acknowledging their contributions, and fostering a sense of purpose can significantly enhance engagement and productivity. According to Grant, this type of leadership not only boosts morale but also cultivates a culture of trust and collaboration.
Ways to Empower Your Team:
- Give Your Team Ownership: Allow your team members to take ownership of their projects. Encourage them to make decisions, provide creative input, and take credit for their work. When people feel a sense of ownership, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to achieving high standards.
- Explain the “What” and “Why,” Not the “How”: Instead of micromanaging, clearly communicate what needs to be accomplished and why it is important. Allow your team the freedom to determine how to achieve these goals. This approach not only respects their expertise but also enables them to adapt and find the most effective ways to complete their tasks.
For instance, Google’s famous “20% time” policy, which allows employees to spend 20% of their work time on projects they are passionate about, has led to some of the company’s most innovative products, such as Gmail and Google Maps. By giving employees the freedom to explore, Google empowers them to take initiative and think creatively.
When you empower your team, your job then becomes to nurture the passions and skills of your team – not to try and control their every move. And when you realize that, you’ll realize that there is no reason to be stressed!
Empower and Lead
Becoming an effective leader is not about commanding your team or exerting control. It’s about creating an environment where your team members feel motivated, valued, and empowered to do their best work. By focusing on these principles and leveraging insights from leadership experts like Daniel Pink and Adam Grant, you can cultivate a thriving team and become the great leader you were always meant to be.
Congratulations on taking the steps to empower your team and transform your leadership style!
