In the procurement context, it is the authority to obligate funds, make specification decisions, make sole source decisions, issue small orders, use procurement cards, execute contracts, sign purchase orders, travel to vendor sites, obtain professional development, interpret policy and procedure, and in some instances break policy and procedure. Leadership must ensure that the desired results are clearly understood by all involved, and that they share enough power. This includes bosses, coworkers and subordinates. Guidelines for action are defined to identify the bounds of acceptable events. Resources, money, people and equipment are earmarked and committed.
Accountability is defined.
This may be an individual or a team. Finally, the consequences of the actions are determined and understood. This is from both a positive as well as negative perspective. In other words, the benefits and rewards for outstanding success are defined as well as sanctions for marginal results. These Conditions of Empowerment must be codified into a written document with each employee.