Bill Gates said, “As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”
Leaders help their team see what needs to be done, think through it and then do it. Empowered workers feel they have permission to make decisions and effect change in their area of responsibility.
Empowered people don’t mind being held accountable. They expect it and grow through feedback.
An empowered team is the direct opposite of a controlled team. A team under strict control feels the constant pressure of a thumb on their work. The controlled worker does not welcome accountability. This worker also tends to speak often about entitlement.
An empowered worker performs as a stakeholder rather than a placeholder. They are involved, not dissolved. They produce rather than reduce.
The key marker of the efficacy of a leader is shown by the growth of his team. Love leaders care about the development of each member of his team. Love leaders raise up a cadre of young leaders who love.
The velvet fist of a love leader is consistently revealed through empowerment. An empowered team is a growing team where organizational productivity is increased.
Jesus trained His team with love and intensity. He sent them out to heal, cast out demons and make disciples. They made mistakes. He taught them and moved on to the next city.
We don’t see evidence that Jesus controlled His disciples. We see that Jesus empowered them.
And as He left them, He sent them the power of the Holy Spirit to complete their mission on Earth.
May our work be multiplied by a power plant.
