What Is Empowering Communication?
Empowering communication gives people the clarity, confidence, and authority to make good decisions without waiting to be told exactly what to do.
It requires leaders to provide context and expectations, then leave enough room for employees to use their own judgment. Done well, it builds trust, ownership, and stronger decision-making throughout a team.
Empowerment isn’t the absence of direction. It’s giving people the direction they need without micromanaging how they get there.
Empowering Communication Phrases
My dad used to say, “Get it done.” He used it as a common call to action when he had no specific directive on how to do something. Other empowering phrases are “do as you see fit” and “make decisions you think need to be made.”
*You may also wish to read Words And Phrases That Inspire, Motivate, And Persuade At Work
Why Be Empowering?
Empowered employees don’t rely on policies and procedures for every minute detail of their work. They learn to develop their own powers of discernment. Employee results will be multiplied. Time will be saved.
Be empowering when you need to delegate. Empower when you don’t possess the bandwidth or desire to micromanage. Combined with a consultative leadership style, you’ll end up with employees committed to their goals and an atmosphere of respect and harmony.
Leaders who give employees a regular 10,000-foot view help develop an executive mindset on their team. They’ll understand the main goals and why they’re doing what they do.
Leaders who notice their teams’ strengths help employees reach their full potential. Work with unique interests and abilities. If you’re unsure of what they are, sit down with each team member. Ask, “What would help you grow professionally?”
When to use Empowering Communication
Circumstances may require employees to work with little direction. Other employees are passive, and they’re afraid of displeasing their manager. To avoid pain, they’ll ask a question at every turn.
Empowering communication builds independence and confidence. It may be the answer to building self-motivation and increasing ownership. Give employees a guideline. Reassure them that as long as they are within bounds, they can do what they think is best.
What areas of your workflow could use flexibility? What tasks are not your favorite or do? What do you struggle with? Is there someone on your team who could do it well? I felt honored to be asked to write a company blog because I enjoy writing. I didn’t see it as just another task to get done, but as a privilege and an added responsibility.
This is important for children, too. I have some rules that empower my son. On rechauffe day, I won’t tell him how long to microwave leftovers. If he asks, I say, “Until it’s hot.” A ten-year-old should be able to operate a microwave.
How to Be an Empowering Communicator
*Adapted from The 6 Key Secrets To Increasing Empowerment In Your Team by Joseph Folkman.
- Be open to all new ideas.
- Thank people for ideas. Seriously consider each.
- Build a trusting relationship. When you give authority, trust them. Don’t hover.
- Create a positive work environment.
- Invest in developing others. What skills or experience do they need to be empowered?
- Give team members the authority to make decisions.
- Reward employees who take risks. Appreciate them on their terms.
Overcoming Barriers to Empowering Communication
One barrier is the words we use. Semantic barriers occur when our message is unclear. Avoid jargon or technical information that isn’t appropriate for the audience. Be a good listener. Make sure your message is received as intended. Be concise. Phrase change in a positive way. Handle objections or conflicts promptly.
Employees who lack confidence, communication skills, or incentives will resist this change to empowering communication. Show your team that they are valued.
Metatalk, statements about how the conversation is going, may help. If you’re touching a sensitive spot or the other person is emotional, say so. “I know this is a heavy conversation for a Friday afternoon, but I appreciate your honesty.” Expressions like this show you are listening deeply.
Existing policies may impede empowerment. Question communication protocols between staff levels.
Make or suggest creating neutral places for communication. Set the example with open-door times and schedule slots strictly for drop-ins. (Of course, we’d like to be available 24/7, but that’s unrealistic.)
Give People Room to Do Good Work
Empowering communication doesn’t mean giving people a task and hoping for the best. It means giving them enough context, authority, and trust to make good decisions without checking with you at every turn.
That’s one of the leadership skills I explore in Flex Your Communication: 47 Tips for Every Day Success at Work. The book includes practical guidance on empowering through communication, communicating consultatively, holding people accountable, giving feedback, showing appreciation, motivating others, and flexing your communication style to work more effectively with different people.
