In the book Reinventing Leadership, Townsend and Bennis have a chapter
devoted to Empowerment. Townsend states that..."when a leader creates an
atmosphere in which employees feel free to offer contrary views and speak
the truth, an empowered workforce is created." He also puts some
responsibility with followers, that they must also have a willingness to
speak out and tell the truth. He adds that leaders must be prepared for
criticism, and expect your people to admit their mistakes and ask for help
in dealing with errors in judgement.
When doing sensing interviews, I always find it helpful to ask "How are
mistakes treated around here". The answer helps me gauge how free people
probably feel to be open and "empowered" to take chances.
--Bill Hendry | work e-mail: sfidba@thpl.lib.fl.us Organizational Development Consultant and Trainer Hillsborough County, FL (813) 276-2727, fax (813) 276-2197
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>