>The notion of acquisition [of power] is crucial. My explorations into
>empowerment & the conditions which enable it point that skill, knowledge,
>competence, and confidence are all essential. I begin by assuming we each
>are endowed with the potential to express high levels of these attributes.
>I accept that we don't all demonstrate high levels, all the time. But
>like motivation, and here I disagree with Ivan that one's motivation
>cannot be heightened by others, these attributes are fostered by an
>environment that encourages and challenges them.
If X is to do something specific - such as behave in a particular way, be
powerful - it seems to me that there are three prerequisites:
desire - want to
skill - how to [i.e. competence][competence->confidence]
opportunity - space to.
For some time the idea that one person could empower another has seemed
ridiculous. The other day I was introduced to the idea of intrinsic and
extrinsic empowerment - I wish I could remember who by. I found this
helpful.
I made an immediate link with Alfie Kohn's ideas of intrinsic and
extrinsic motivation and to Robert Fritz's idea that structure determines
behaviour.
How would it be if the issue were not apparent lack of power but apparent
lack of liquid refreshment in organisations. Would we set up Quenchment
programmes ? You can take a horse to water . . . .
All I believe that we can legitimately do in organisations is to enable -
to ensure people know how to drink & have access to the fountains, cola
machines and so on. We can also structure the organisational goals (the
encouraging and challenging environment) in such a way that our people
drink because they can see how it contributes to our shared endeavour
(intrinsic quenching?).
People have power. For many reasons they choose not to use it. Many of
those reasons are attributable to what Deming would call common causes.
Much of what masquerades as empowerment in UK has been of the extrinsic
variety. Like extrinsic motivation I feel it is a fancy name for
manipulation.
--
Alan Mossman
100733.3202@compuserve.com