Tag Archives: empowerment

“When will you do it?”

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“When will you do it?”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash byJeshoots.com

Most people love to be lead by inspired, visionary leaders of great character. They find it easy to buy in and align on the dreams and possibilities spoken by such people.

Alternatively, many people have difficulty with management and managers who want us to do as they wish. When such individuals try to hold us accountable by asking or demanding through the question, When will you do it?, we cringe and generally comply without the feeling of empowerment we all crave.

When inspired leadership comes before management, things feel very different. The answers to what and when we will do something come far easier and are often accompanied by genuine enthusiasm. In such cases, self-management and making and keeping promises provide us the empowerment we desire.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what personal or professional priority can and will you apply your own self-leadership and self-management? How can the question When will you do it? help you realize new levels of achievement and personal satisfaction?

“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”

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“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”

—Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author

Image from cherylrichardson.com

How strongly do the following statements apply to you?

  • I have the power, authority, and autonomy to influence my personal and professional communities.
  • I feel strong and confident in all areas of my life.
  • I feel that my ideas and interests are valued and seriously considered at work and at home.
  • I live a highly self-determined life in which I accept personal authority and responsibility for my actions.

EXERCISE:

If your thoughts regarding these statements fall below your desired levels of empowerment, consider where you happen to be “going along the get along.”

Where and with whom can and will you take steps to live a far more self-determined life?

We would rather have one man or woman working with us than three merely working for us

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“We would rather have one man or woman working with us than three merely working for us.”

—J. Danby Day, per Forbes Magazine

Image of cast of "Who's the Boss?"

Image from Zimbio

When it comes to the subjects of leadership and management, one of my biggest pet peeves is the word “Boss.”

I find myself squirming, often downright repulsed by the idea of one person managing an individual or team through the “top-down / command-and-control” manner conveyed by this word.

My 35+ years of experience working for public and private companies have shown me that people are far more fulfilled, empowered, satisfied and successful when they work with one another rather than for others.

Because of the feeling of contributing to a community, people experience a heightened sense of impact and purpose, knowing they are truly valued.

EXERCISE:

How can you become a more masterful leader, manager, and coach in your professional and personal communities so people gravitate and look forward to working with you?

“Energy is contagious: either you affect people or you infect people.”

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“Energy is contagious: either you affect people or you infect people.”

—T. Harv Eker, author, businessman and motivational speaker

Image from Flickr by Tree Leaf Clover

When was the last time you had a cold? I bet there was a good chance you know who passed it on to you. The energy generated by those around us can have a similar impact on our health, well-being, and overall disposition.

Which people in your life give you that pick-me-up feeling? Which ones seem to suck the life out of you and make you feel ill, due to their negativity?

Exercise:

Create a list of people in your personal and professional life that you would place on either the positive or negative ends of the energy spectrum. Make an effort to only allow yourself to be “zapped” and not “sapped” as you adjust whom you spend your time with.

Extra credit: A quick and easily read book on the subject, particularly in a business context, is Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment. Reading it will also help you become more of a “zapper” and less of a “sapper” in the lives of others.