9 Principles of Employee Empowerment

Among the essential processes of HR planning are reinforcing the manpower and enhancing talent management procedures. The purpose of those two is to improve employee productivity and performance. When employees are doing well in their respective roles, they add up to the success of the company, which ultimately leads to the fulfillment of long term business goals. As an employer, the basic and first step you need to do to make those happen is to empower your employees. We’re glad to help you by sharing our knowledge regarding employee empowerment.

9 Principles of Employee Empowerment

What Is Employee Empowerment?

Employee empowerment is a method wherein employers grant their employees a sense of authority in performing day-to-day tasks in the workplace. Empowering employees can potentially boost their decision-making skills, confidence, and morale, which could also transcend employee engagement. According to an article by Natalie Lambert on Huffpost.com, employees will feel satisfaction 26% more likely if they have a sense of power or authority with their tasks; and, seven out of 10 employees consider empowerment as a vital component in increasing their engagement. With those in mind, every organization must have the means to empower their employees to be triumphant in the long run.

Here are nine principles of employee empowerment that you can apply in managing the manpower of your company or organization.

Trust Your Employees

Trust is one of the foundations of strong relationships, including employer-employee relations. In the first place, you have to trust your employees if you want them to be independent and self-reliant. When you wish to empower someone, you’re giving them the green light to be the boss, to take charge, and to get it done with confidence; those require a substantial amount of trust. If your employees sense that their HR management team and department managers aren’t implying trust, they won’t be empowered, and their morale will degrade. Keep in mind that trust is the first key in employee empowerment.

Involve Employees in Goal Setting

We all know that being a part of a long-term process gives us a sense of purpose. And when that sense of purpose is present, our morale to carry out our responsibilities is high. The same goes for empowering employees. Informing your employees that they’re involved in setting the goals of the organization can empower them surely. They’ll feel that their presence in the workforce is valued and appreciated. Most importantly, they’ll be more engaged and encouraged to showcase excellence. Also, involving your employees in goal setting will put them on the same page. Therefore, the operations of the workplace will be more efficient and timely.

Involve Employees in Decision Making

Making decisions for the sake of the business, both big and small, are vital and crucial stepping stones towards success. They have the potential to either make or break the company. Your employees are a big part of the organization. That said, they should have a say in making decisions for the business. And, of course, involving them in decision making is one excellent approach to empower them. Because employees are the front liners of the operations, they know the ins and outs of every operational process. So, they might be able to provide significant contributions that can help in making sound decisions for the company’s sake.

Rewards and Recognition

Acknowledging the dedication, hard work, and excellence of employees should be considered as a major responsibility for every employer. In doing so, the employees will be empowered to continue doing their best. Giving rewards and recognition is a good way to acknowledge well-performing employees, and it’s essential for employee performance management. For other averaged employees, knowing that there’s a reward or recognition will empower them to improve their performance.

Provide Transparency

Transparency between an employer and employee should start during the job candidate communication phase — the hiring process. If you provide transparency to your employees, for certain, they’ll feel the assurance that the company has nothing to hide from them. Being informed of every change and decisions that the company implements empowers them that they’re integral components of the manpower. And when there’s transparency, there’s open communication between the employers and employees. Remember that open communication is important for every organization.

Frequent Feedback Discussions

It might come as a surprise, but one way to empower employees is to provide professional criticisms or feedback with their work. Most employees will realize that you want them to get better with their jobs by discussing feedback. Thus, empowering them to nurture their skills and capabilities in the company. For the longer term, you’ll have employees that are fully-competent and independent. In addition, frequent feedback discussions should be a part of your employee training and development procedures.

Share Leadership Vision

A good number of employees under your employment are aspiring to become leaders someday, and that’s a fact. As an employer, you want your company to have people who can lead effectively. That being said, empower your employees to have leadership qualities by sharing your leadership vision. Managers and supervisors must do so as well.

Provide Authority and Provide Opportunities

Giving your employees authority and full control in performing their jobs is the most direct way of empowering them. After all, it’s their job. Each employee has his/her own way of completing tasks and meeting the required productivity rates. Let them be in control, for as long as the standards are observed and met. Another approach to empower employees is by providing opportunities for growth. Your employees will be more engaged in their jobs if there are opportunities to progress their careers within the company.

Listen to Problems and Provide Guidance

Your employees will encounter problems in the workplace and outside of work as well. Those problems can affect their performance, and potentially, the day-to-day operations as a whole. To avoid that outcome, call their attention courteously and professionally. Listen to their problems and be understanding of their situation. Afterward, empower them to fix things and become better by providing guidance to them. Your employees are people, and people have their own thoughts and feelings. They aren’t robots that you can eradicate immediately without due process.

Empowering employees might seem to be an insignificant step to achieve the usual business goals of gaining profit and revenue, but it’s actually highly valuable. Without employees who are engaged and empowered, how will the company achieve successful operations? The answer is simple: it’s hard and can be near impossible. That said, make it your practice as an employer to empower your workforce.

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