What makes good leaders great? Is greatness something a leader is born with, or is it merely a choice, and something we learn over time? Empowering leadership is at the heart of their greatness. According to Jake Wilder, great leaders choose to be great, and they do so by making the commitment to empowering others².

So, what does it mean to empower someone? The word empower is defined as “giving someone the power or authority to do something.” In the world of leadership, I personally view it as equipping people with the tools, skills, and abilities they need to perform at their very best. In other words, giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential. I also like to think of it as helping those we lead come up with solutions and answers to problems on their own, versus dictating how things should be done.

When it comes to the concept of empowerment, how would you define it? How do you see empowerment playing out in your own leadership?

As Iʼm sure youʼve possibly experienced at some point in your career, I havenʼt always felt empowered by those who have led me. Fortunately, there were only a select few. These individuals often viewed their leadership position as a way to improve their own status, rather than making a positive difference in the life of someone else, and helping them reach their full potential, not recognizing that we reach our own full potential as leaders by helping others do the same.

Think Servant-Leadership! Think multiplication!

At the end of the day, no one ever said leadership is easy. No one ever said empowering others is easy. There are obvious obstacles that each of us must overcome if we desire to do it well.

In an article titled The Law of Empowerment by John Maxwell, John lays out the three obstacles that many leaders have to overcome if they truly desire to help others be their very best¹:

1.The Desire for Job Security – The number one enemy of empowerment is the desire for job security. Weak and insecure leaders worry they will become expendable if they train up talented subordinates.

2. Resistance to Change – Insecure leaders view change as a threat rather than an opportunity. They fear change rather than inviting it. As a consequence, insecure leaders have been known to act coldly toward newcomers. They cling to the established order and generally resent anyone who may disrupt it.

3. Lack of Self-Worth – Many people derive personal value and esteem from their title or position. When either is threatened, they feel as if their self-worth is under assault. Accordingly, they will firmly resist anyone or anything that could reduce their “elite” status.

Friends, as leaders we must believe in other people who may struggle believing in themselves. And that starts with you and I believing in ourselves first! When I look at the three obstacles that John outlined in his article, in one way or another, each of them can be attributed to a lack of self-confidence or self-worth. Remember, the process of increasing our self-awareness is a school that we never graduate from!

Every single one of us will be working on ourselves for the rest of our lives. And thatʼs the way it should be!

So, leadership is really all about empowerment. Itʼs about finding ways to lift other people up; helping them advance in their careers, or in being their very best in their current role. Making them a part of something bigger than themselves, helps people be a little closer to who they were designed to be.

In conclusion, leaders who make the choice to empower others, have made the decision to hold themselves to a higher standard. The role of a leader requires constant sacrifice. Itʼs a journey – a process, not a one-time investment in someone else. Itʼs an ongoing investment that has the potential to reap more rewards than you and I could have ever possibly imagined. And thatʼs not only empowering to those we serve, but I hope that itʼs empowering to each of us too!

Until next time, continue fighting for the highest possible good of those you lead! Iʼll conclude with this great quote by John C. Maxwell.

“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”

Sources:

(1)Maxwell, John. “The Law of Empowerment.” 11 June. 2011, https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/the-law-of-empowerment/

(2)Wilder, Jake. “Great Leaders Empower Others. Choose to Be Great. – The Mission – Medium.” Medium, The Mission, 28 Mar. 2018, medium.com/the-mission/great-leaders-empower-others-choose-to-be-great-a7dce9feeef6.

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