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For me, being empowered means knowing that I have the space to take control of a situation and that I will be supported in my actions while doing so. I think the biggest indicator that someone is feeling empowered is confidence. For example, I manage a small team at work, and we are often plagued by somewhat outlandish requests from our account managers. When a new team member starts, they are often hesitant to push back on things and tend to ask me for confirmation answering questions they already know the answers to. Recently, we had an account manager ask a newer member of my team if we could adjust a timesheet for an external employee to satisfy a client request. My team member had the confidence to tell him that wasn't allowed and guided him on how to resolve the situation knowing that I would stand by her suggestion. That same question would have likely caused her to doubt herself a month ago.

Personally, I'm fortunate enough to feel empowered regularly in my present role. One example is the way I am trusted to handle my team. We have seen some turnover in the last year, and I have had to realign employees to different tasks to maintain bandwidth. My supervisor gives me the space to determine which team members should be assigned to each task, trusting my instincts and supporting my decisions. Having her support gave me reassurance that I am capable in my role, and I was able to communicate my decisions with confidence and clarity. I try to actively promote the same confidence to empower my team by being open and considerate of their suggestions and concerns. When they see a problem area, I prefer to have them suggest a solution they think may fit the situation. They all have great ideas that deserve to be heard and considered, and brainstorming often leads to the perfect solution. Knowing that they have my support and that I have full confidence that they can handle their responsibilities allows them to feel empowered in their role.

casie