> > Take this situation as an example: This summer, my son will be old
> > enough to drive the truck to take our produce to the market. Since neither
> > of us wants him to run out of gasoline, he will need to be able to refuel
> > the truck as needed. I will tell the owner of the gas station that my son
> > has my permission to charge purchases to my account, and that I will honor
> > the indebtedness and make the payment. I will tell my son about the
> > gasoline arrangement, and make sure he knows my expectations. He will not
> > betray my trust nor will I second guess his decisions. We both know this.
And you kindly wrote in LO18335:
> Dennis--you've provided a wonderful example of empowerment. I see nothing
> wrong with your arrangements or your use of the definition. The problem
> is in its' application to organizational life. The patriarchical
> relationship you have with your son is very similar to the one which
> exists in many organizations. This is also the very relationship which
> needs to disappear--it has no place in those places where autonomous
> people come together to work with one another. Your son is not now
> autonomous, he is dependent. In a few years, if you made such an
> arrangement for him, he could very well resent it.
This is wonderful insight you've provided. I am beginning to see, through
the rubble of the old concept of empowerment, a new notion of *appropriate
empowerment*. This, for me, is like running at night. Each step becoming
clear only as my foot lands. Thank you, and others, for shining your
light.
I am now thinking that this process, this aligning of authority with
responsibility, is very much a confirmation of mutual trust. It exist in
the creation of interdependence. And that it is not to be spoken about
lightly. I'm thinking that empowerment must only happen "as needed," and
it is still, during times of growth, a necessary condition.
Empowerment is a necessary element when moving a relationship from being
dependent to being independent. In a family setting this is readily
apparent. Trust by both is conveyed through words unspoken, yet
understood. It is verified through actions. But if I get told, by my
family member, a friend, or a co-worker that someone trust me or my work,
I may take offense because of the implied doubt.
Where autonomous people come to work together, the relationships are more
interdependent. Here also, trust is more implied than spoken. It's no
wonder that people can get upset at being empowered if they feel it is a
betrayal of the relationship. If someone trusts and treats others as
equals, what room is there for dependency?
If someone is dependent on others and others are not dependent on them,
are they weak or undesirable? Is empowerment inappropriate?
No, I think not always, in the long run.
The relationships, in a small organization at least, will approach a point
of equilibrium where everyone knows their boundaries and limits. (Or at
least makes a good guess.) But sometimes, in the name of improvement
perhaps, these relationships need to grow. We decide we need to do or be
more as a group. Individuals' abilities need to improve, and all the
while, people still need to trust each others abilities. Personal mastery
becomes relevant, and the people involved experience personal growth. It
is during this elevation that interdependence becomes the fluid social
dynamic of instructing, serving, failing, and achieving. It is here that
we are forgiving and try to feel safe - for we are learning. It is here in
this aspect of organizational life that responsibility and authority get
realigned. The empowerment process unfolds, with unspoken trust and mutual
respect, without resentment or harsh criticism.
The terminology may be a hanging point for some. And it is likely that
there are other words I could be substituting. But I think it happens. It
is a part of being a servant and being a leader; of helping others and
yourself.
Personal growth only becomes a solid reality when it is put into action,
when it gets applied. That's when people begin to feel it. It's my guess
that people initially saw (see) empowerment as a demonstration of their
growth and/or ability. This is just my conjecture, of course, but it does
explain the initial popularity of the idea.
Thank you for listening and for sharing. I realize the word *appropriate*
is elusive also, and that understanding all the implications may take a
lifetime. But it is a word whose meaning I hope to learn.
-- Dennis_\\|//_ (-0-0-) /------------------oo0- (_) -0oo------------------\ | | | Dennis Keibler | HSC Biostatistics Center | | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | | djkeib01@homer.louisville.edu | | http://www.louisville.edu/~djkeib01 | | | \-------------------------------------------------/ || || oo0 0oo
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>