Page 178 - Becoming a Successful Manager

Delegating Effectively and Empowering Employees to Take Risks 169

your employees with an environment that allows them to real-
ize their fullest potential. In this way, the working relationship
between manager and employee is structured for the benefi t of
all parties.

Discovery Lesson

1. Complete the following sentence: “I would be more willing to take
reasonable risks if my boss .”
Now answer this question: What do I have to do to make it safe
for my employees to take reasonable risks?

2. The next time a departmental decision has to be made regarding an
isolated task, ask for suggestions from your staff rather than dictat-
ing the solution. Choose a relatively safe subject, such as making a
schedule, rotating department assignments, or setting up a display.
Set the goals for the assignment, and then stand back to give employ-
ees room to respond. It may take a little time for them to assume that
fi rst risk, but once they start, they will continue.
Provide guidance on how to implement the called-for action or
resolve the conflict, and then support and enable the employees’

decision as long as it addresses the goals you had in mind. Even if
they decide on something different from your preference, endorse it
if it accomplishes the objective. Problems typically allow for many
different answers, and your staff just might sprout a great idea that
wouldn’t have occurred to you. When this happens, it refl ects well
on your employees and on you.