> Date: 20 Dec 95 03:14:41 EST
> From: Rol Fessenden <76234.3636@compuserve.com>
>
> Regarding Learning to Learn LO4316, Joe Hays, says,
>
> "I am campaigning to eliminate the notion that empowerment is something
> that is given. Though it may come about naturally and painlessly in some
> evolutionary self-organizing way, it is most typically a frustrating and
> excruciating process both for those who would be empowered and those who
> would empower. Empowerment is something which is earned. It is something
> which has to come to be desired and something which depends heavily on
> personal confidence and competence (and in my case, at least, on mutual
> trust, interdependence. and collaboration)."
>
> Boy, Joe, you made my day. Thank you.
>
> I would even go so far as to say that people truly recognize when they are
> 'ready' for the burden, and at that point, they _take_ empowerment. When
> anyone is waiting for empowerment to be given, they are -- practically by
> definition -- not ready for it.
>
> Rol Fessenden
I understand that there needs to be a set of conditions
(structural, procedural, etc.) for empowerment to exist. I also believe
that people empower themselves (even to leave the organization as an
extreme expression of empowerment), when they have prepared themselves for
this. This might be related to the discussion on choice as an ilusion
that has been going on. People have to know that the can, they also need
to knwo that they know, and the they can "sell" their
ideas/conclusions/etc., for them to be empowered. Empowerment also cannot
be give by someone else. In this case is not empowerment! My boss cannot
empower me, the same way he or she can not motivate me to do better!
Given empowerment can be easily taken away too. People may not trust this
"kind" of empowerment!
Ivan,
--
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R. IVAN BLANCO, Ph.D. Voice 305 899-3515
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"Si un hombre fuera necesario para sostener el Estado, este
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