Employee Empowerment and Your Business
Some of the most successful organizations in the world have engaged and empowered employees. Companies such as Disney, Four Seasons, and Zappos come to mind when talking about employee empowerment and investing in workers. These companies have built their brands on the power of their employees. As a business owner, you should spend some time thinking about the different ways you can foster a culture of empowerment for your team. Here are some ways you can get started. Be clear about your corporate culture. It’s important to know and identify both the core tenets of your company’s culture and your business goals. How do they align with people’s goals and identities? You can show how each employee or business line contributes to these core goals. Once employees know how their input makes a difference, they are more likely to feel empowered in their daily work. Provide clear paths for growth. Part of creating an empowered workforce means offering clear paths for personal and professional growth. When you offer opportunities for employees to learn and grow, you are helping them to move forward and take advantage of new opportunities. Without a clear path forward, an employee will stagnate and eventually leave your business. Avoid micromanaging. A key part of ensuring you foster a successful team is to let go of control – just a little. No one likes to feel watched over all the time, and trusting your team to do their jobs is part of establishing a successful relationship. For help growing your business and getting it off the ground, contact the Economic Development Collaborative to schedule a no-charge appointment with a qualified business advisor. We’re here to help.
