At the conclusion of this employee empowerment training initiative managers and supervisors will be able to:

• Describe the benefits, challenges and setbacks of employee empowerment.
• Determine when an employee would rather not be empowered.
• Articulate the behavior attributes associated with sharing power.
• Behave as a good follower when appropriate.
• Use the Employee Performance Expectations Worksheet to establish the empowerment relationship.
• Apply the Coaching Model, Performance Improvement Process and Training Model as tools to support full employee empowerment.
• Guide employees in decision making based on: risk assessment, unintended consequence, cost and timeliness.
• Seek feedback to ensure actions coincide with employee empowerment expectations.
  

With flatter, leaner organizational structures the need for employee empowerment in the workplace in decision making at the closest point to the customer is necessary to achieve organic growth while neutralizing competitive thrusts. This workplace empowerment of employees, must be top down articulated and demonstrated to convince employees that there is empowerment. The challenge for managers, supervisors and team leaders is to avoid historical top-down, autocratic "check with me first" management style and embrace a style reflective of good coaches, advisors, mentors and facilitators. Good coaches are expected to support the workplace empowerment of employees by encouraging, instructing, guiding and giving them advice. The power that managers have - the capacity that managers have to influence the behavior of employees - and work responsibilities, must be now shared with employees through the creation of trust, assurance, motivation, and support.

The Everest Training & Consulting approach is to conduct an evaluation of the organizational culture and prescribe actions to take to effect empowerment in the workplace. We take into account:

• Commitment by all levels in the organization is mandatory.
• Assessment of the organization - are they ready for empowerment?
• Empowerment and accountability: can't have one without the other.
• Behaviors of executives, managers, supervisors and workers that reflect an empowered organization.
• What if they don't want to be empowered?
• Financial benefits of an empowered workforce.