“An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success.” – Stephen Covey
Empowerment refers to enlargement of an employee’s job responsibility by giving him the authority of decision making about his own job without approval of his immediate supervisor.
However. today empowerment includes most importantly Effective Communication. Giving more people the ability to talk to the organization at large rather than having out-of-date newsletters and announcements pinned on the notice boards.
In this new environment, glossy magazines and PR-style communication campaigns are no longer sufficient. Employees seek greater transparency and involvement. Introducing the new ways of communication, many of which are already be familiar to employees especially to those from ‘Generation Y’ who are just starting to enter the workplace.
New wave of communication is essential to empower employees in a true sense.
December 15th, 2008 on 8:58 pm
I agree with your viewpoint. If we think about empowerment, then obviously empowerment / equipping employees with power is to bring real success to the organization.
Responsibility bearing, decision taking are the key elements for the growth of organization. Shirking responsibilities on other shoulders or waiting for decisions from higher chair may mitigate dedication and involvement of employees, even sometimes it may put the wheels of movement of organization to reverse gear.
Responsibility provided by org. fills the employees with confidence to take decision & action (if required) in favour of it, definitely the org. will run on the wheels of growth.