As administrator of an eight-person physician practice in Columbus, Ohio, I have the wonderful responsibility to create a work environment in which staff looks forward to coming in on a Monday morning. I have worked long and hard to become a better listener and to empower staff to grow and make more strategic contributions. Great benefits are reaped when we empower our employees.
Empowerment entails a more fundamental change than mere delegation.
It means a willingness to let go, to change old habits, and to help anxious employees to abandon their fears. Many employees are already more than able to take all the responsibility you can give them. You can help staff realize how much power they already have through their specialist skills and knowledge. I am reminded of a quote by Jeff Dewar in his book Empowering, Involving, and Enabling the Organization. Rather, the decision to empower a team is rooted in the need to rapidly increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve performance.