In this 21 part series, based on John Maxwell’s book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, I’m taking you on a journey towards better leadership. I share with you my own leadership lessons and insights. As a John Maxwell Team Member I’ll be happy to deliver transformational leadership training for your team or organization. See the details below.
Part 12 of 21: The Law of Empowerment
The Law of Empowerment: Only secure leaders give power to others. ~ John C. Maxwell
This was one of the most challenging leadership laws for me personally. Growing up in a communist country, I haven’t had a lot of great leadership examples around me. And even after the fall of communism, I witnessed people hungry for power and positions rule the country. Empowerment wasn’t even in their vocabulary.
When a leader can’t or won’t empower others, he creates barriers within the organization that followers cannot overcome. If the barriers remain long enough, then the people give up and stop trying, or they go away to another organization where they can maximize their potential. I witnessed it first hand as many great people chose to leave my country after the borders opened. People had given up waiting for leaders to come to their senses. The saddest part? Till this day leaders didn’t get the message…
This is a story of my country, but I’ve seen the same story happen in other countries around the globe. People leave countries, companies, organizations, teams, partnerships and families for the same reason… lack of empowerment.
Lack of empowerment happens mainly because of scarcity mindset. Leaders are afraid to lose their position, they worry about people jumping over them and taking away their position, salary or job. The truth is that if you give some of your power away to others, there is still plenty to go around.
How does the law of empowerment look like in real life? It has following stages:
1. Identify leaders
It’s crucial that you find the right people to invest in. We discussed this in the Law of the Inner Circle.
2. Build them up
Invest in them. Share with them your vision, mission, values, teach them your culture, mentor them. Spend time with hem. Help them improve.
3. Give them resources, authority and responsibility
Give them what they need to succeed. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in situations when I was given responsibility without authority. It’s not a good place to be at. It’s actually a pretty tough position to be at. You’re required to do something, but you can’t do it until you have somebody else’s permission. So if you do it, you will be blamed. If you don’t, you will also be the one to be blamed. Catch 22. Give your people what they need to succeed in their position.
4. Set them loose to achieve and do the same with their followers
Believe in them! Yes, you need to believe in them through their failures, mistakes and growth process. You have to understand and accept that people will fail you. None of us is perfect, we all make mistakes. But mistakes are fine as soon as person is trying and improving.
Choose to believe in your team though their failures, mistakes and growth process. Click To TweetLeaders fail to empower other usually due to three main reasons:
- Desire for job security
- Resistance to change
- Lack of self-worth
Which one is your biggest show stopper? What’s standing in your way to a better leadership?
I’d be honored to help you on your journey to a better leadership.
If you’re an individual, you will want to join my Impact Academy, where I work with individuals from around the globe helping them to improve their leadership and results.
If you’re part of a team and want to step on this journey alongside of your team, contact me here to let me know about your team’s needs. I’ll be happy to offer a customized training based on your team’s needs.
This article is part of a 21-part leadership series.
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To your success,
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