Empowering Others

Dear Uncommon Leaders, 

Hope you had a great weekend! As we step into a new week, reflect on how you’re leading and developing those around you.

Have a great week!

This Week's Question: 

Are you really empowering people as a leader?

This Week's Challenge: 

One of my favorite phrases to use with my team is:

“I trust your judgment.”

Interestingly, it’s not always their favorite phrase to hear!

Usually, they’ve come to me looking for an answer, some direction, or a decision—and I’ve just handed the decision right back to them.

But if we really want to empower people, sometimes that’s exactly what we need to do.

The best employees are usually growing in two areas: their capabilities and the level of trust their leader places in them.

Sure, I could give an answer. Sometimes that would even be faster.

But if I trust someone—and I want them to grow—I need them making more decisions without me, not fewer.

If we don’t want our leadership to continually overwhelm us, we need people around us who are confident and empowered to make decisions.

A couple of cautions:

First, trust has to be earned. I rarely use this phrase with someone who just started. It takes time to understand someone's abilities and judgment. But once I like what I see, I want them making more decisions without me.

Second, empowerment involves risk.Sometimes they'll make a decision very different from the one we would have made.

That's okay.

Those moments create great opportunities for calibration, coaching, and development. If we never give people the freedom to make decisions, how will they ever develop good judgment?

Your challenge this week:

When someone you trust asks,

“Hey, what should I do about ______?”

Try responding:

“I trust your judgment.”

Then pay attention to their reaction.

Do you see uncertainty or even a little fear? Or do you see confidence and ownership?

Their response may tell you something about where they are on the journey toward becoming truly empowered.

Empowering people involves some risk. But if we want to grow leaders—and increase our own capacity—it’s a risk worth taking.

Let’s go be Uncommon.

This Week's Quote to Ponder: 

“The strength of your organization is a reflection of who you empower and trust.” — Craig Groeschel

Until next week,

LET'S GO BE UNCOMMON!

W. Kevin Harrison

Founder and Executive Coach

Uncommon Influence