Only two of four general groups of employees should be empowered. Knowing whom you can, and whom you can't, will eliminate much of the chaos brought on by empowering the wrong people. Don't confuse empowerment with participation and inclusion. Empowerment means permitting employees to make choices and decisions as they deem appropriate. Participation and inclusion are not empowerment unless you've operated as a dictator and you're just figured out how unproductive you've been.
Input is vital to the success of any business, but it's just that, smart business.
The two groups of people who deserve empowerment are your existing leaders and your leaders in development. The leaders should be empowered to make good choices and decisions. The leaders of the future still require coaching. Responsibilities and decision making should be meted out to them. Leaders of the future need clearly defined boundaries with expressed expectations.