Page 73 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

58 Just Promoted!

ering leaders typically describe themselves as feeling more able, valuable, and
responsible. They feel that way because they are treated that way. Creating the
right conditions and empowering others to succeed will act as strong motiva-
tors for 9 out of 10 workers.
Empowering leaders have flexible styles. They adapt their approach to peo-
ple’s needs and to the situation. The empowering leader creates the best pos-
sible conditions for performance and career development. The message sounds
like this: “I believe in you, your judgment, capabilities, and your potential. I
expect you to be successful. I am here to aid you, to act as a catalyst and coach
for your success. My job is to create the conditions for your success; your job
is to get it done. We will work on it together.”
The psychological dynamics of this approach are both predictable and
potent. It creates the Pygmalion effect, the self-fulfilling prophecy of success.
Empowering leadership touches the core of our humanity, our self-concept.
Nothing affects our behavior, our performance, and the achievement of our
potential more than this vision of who we are.
To appreciate the potency of empowering leadership, you must understand
the following principle: how we see ourselves on the job depends on how we
interpret messages (verbal and nonverbal) from key individuals in our pro-
fessional environment. One of these key people is our leader or manager. This
is especially true as newly promoted leaders assume their responsibilities. In
new situations, people are often wary and inquisitive. Most want to look for
opportunity, and they hope for a bright future. During your first few months,
your empowering style can have an early and positive effect on an entire
organization through your attitude, direct discussion, and behaviors.

Examples of Empowering and Diminishing Behaviors
There is a wide range of leadership behaviors that empower or diminish peo-
ple and their performance.

Empowering Diminishing
Shows approval Resorts to name calling
Shows concern and empathy Uses putdown statements
Shows interest Embarrasses people
Facilitates learning Has a sink-or-swim attitude
Reinforces Blames; tends to look for the
negative first