Are You An Empowerment Freak?

“Good leaders are empowerment freaks, not control freaks, and you can’t empower people if you don’t share information with them.”–Ken Blanchard and Charlene Li

Control freaks often receive criticism for sharing few roles and responsibilities with those whom they lead, but failing to share information stifles empowerment even more.

With a clear and compelling vision and strategic direction, control freaks can actually get by; they may micromanage but there is some information upon which those under them may use to take action.

But often there is a direct relationship between a clear and compelling vision and a strong desire and willingness to empower others. If your vision is God-given then it’s too large for you to attain on your own; thus a compelling vision forces leaders to empower and partner with others.

A few suggestions to expand your capacity to empower others:

• Talk about the vision at least once a week with your team; not just in abstract form but help them (and you) connect how the actions you are taking this week affect the future. Once your team can put that together then ask them what resources they need in order to do their job well. If you ask before they connect the dots they may want things that simply will not help move the ministry forward (more time with you, more money, taking more time to make a decision that needs to be made now, etc).

• Clearly identify the next generation of leaders: Have a google doc with the names of these potential leaders that everyone on your team can access. As they think about their weekly roles and responsibilities, help them think about which of those potential leaders can help. Strategic, intentional empowerment of emerging leaders can instantly impact your ministry.

• What are some weekly activities that you are skilled in but not excellent at? These are key spaces to empower others and give them valuable experiences that will help them lead in the future.