Dr John Taylor wrote:
> To put a cat among some pigeons, I am personally no longer convinced that
> empowerment really exists. I think that people take power, but are rarely
> given it, indeed, having attained power, few people are anxious to give it
> away. Machiavelli had much to say on the topic of power, and I believe
> that he would have been horrified by the concept of empowerment. It is
> also worthwhile considering what those great business gurus Marx and Lenin
> would have said.
I came to a similar conclusion several months ago. Power (personal power)
is intrinsic (like motivation) to each person. What they (each person) do
with power and motivation depends on many circumstances ("I am myself and
my circumstances"), and power is often surrendered and motivation lost if
the circumstances are wrong.
"Developing the capacity for power," as Follett referred to it, is an
integral and critical part of forming LOs (IMO) or in just being an
authentic leader or good manager. Uncovering motivators is another task
that coaches, managers and leaders may involve themselves in.
There will be those who feel that these words I've used are the same as
when people speak or write about "empowering" or "motivating" others, but
I they are antithetical to both of these sentiments. As another poster
has stated, in language that is not too strong, empowering and motivating
are words to describe relationships between masters and slaves. So--no
thank you any self-respecting "worker" will tell you . . . "I don't need
no empowerment or motivation from you!"
We can use our personal power to enslave others (and ourselves) -- or to
free others (and ourselves). I feel quite strongly that those people whom
many of you most admire are people who exercised their power to free
others.
walk in peace,
Doc
-- "The spiritual gift on this inner journey is the knowledge that in chaos I can not only survive, but I can thrive, that there is vitality in that chaotic field of energy." -Parker J. PalmerThresholds--developing critical skills for living organizations Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Olympia, WA ICQ# 10849650 Please visit our new website, still at <http://www.thresholds.com/> <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com>
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