>As odd as it may seem, I would like to know more about Empowerment which I
>thought until recently that it meant 'getting/allowing people to be more
>autonomous'. Would that be a good definition ? Or what would your
>definition be ? I only see the word written, and lack the context that
>would help me grasp the real meaning (if any).
This is a useful definition of empowerment- although I would always say
that empowerment is not just more automomy, but also more responsibility
and greater opportunity to expand a person's role. It is not sufficient to
simply cut people losse from hierarchical procedures- there have to be
support systems and learning initiatives for empoerment to be a success-
but these are more leader and mentor driven than decreed by managers. This
is the same with the introduction of new technology- it has to be combined
with a change in the way business is carried out to transform the
corporation.
>Do you consider it as yet another fad ?
No, because once you give employees a taste of freedome through something
like teleworking, , most are very reluctant to ever go back. Because
managers suffer from limited understanding and control of the complex and
diverse unorganized world, empowerment is an imperative- otherwise,
organizations under-perform because they are always waiting for managers
to make the wrong decisions.
>I am also searching for references on Empowerment. What are the major
>books you would recommend on the subject ?
I am sure there are some specific texts, but within unorganization, I would
recommend "Unorganization: The Business Handbook" at
http://www.unorg.com/bh.htm which covers the move from hierarchy to
networked company.
I long forward to seeing a summary of your replies!
regards, sincerely simon buckingham (in Paris)
http://www.unorg.com/teleworking.htm
--"Simon Buckingham" <go57@dial.pipex.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>