Recently I came across some everyday leaders that announced that they are going to empower their people by holding them accountable for certain goals. This sounded to me like telling the fish that it will be let go into the sea and the sea is actually an aquarium. There is no doubt that empowerment requires accountability. However, holding someone accountable does not mean that you have been empowered.
A simplified Example.
In today’s world, you are considered lucky if you know why you are getting up every day and getting yourself to work. Perhaps you are going to work to fulfil the basic human needs. Putting a roof over your head. Bringing food to the table. Providing education to the little ones. Taking care of transportation need. Making sure you have clothes to put on. So you get up, go to work, and your boss gave you goals and target, holds you accountable for it, and then you are set: to do your job. If this sounds like you, what feeling comes up when you look at your work life ? Are you being accountable for your work and life, and/or do you feel empowered for your work and life?
Here is an example of how accountability and empowerment might look like in this situation:
Accountability: I will do my job to fulfil my company mandated goals, which in return fulfil my personal needs. I will be accountable for my actions and will answer all repercussions if any.
Empowerment: My company enabled me to perform and contribute in the best way I can, and I am encouraged to keep excelling in my daily task. I decide and agree on which goals are the best for the company, and will review and revise on a timely
manner with the management. In the process, my personal needs are fulfilled concurrently, which is fulfilling. Bottom line, leader ´s should not ‘Empower’ people by holding them accountable. If empowerment is done right, accountability will stem from within.
The empowerment process:
(thought and action) Leader empowers X –> (emotion) X feeling empowered — > (action) X generates accountability from within — > (reaction) leader empowers the said accountability — > (thought and action) X will follow up with actionable tasks or formula — >(emotion and action) Leader acknowledge, validate and celebrate X’s achievement
How well do you feel empowered in your everyday life ? Do you empower yourself often? Allow yourself to be true and authentic, you will be amazed with the results.
“The role of leaders is not to get other people to follow them but to empower others to lead – Bill George”
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Yaamuna Aldragen.
