We recently caught up with a friend who works at a large tech company. This organization has grown rapidly through funding rounds, leading to a messy structure, especially now that it's publicly traded. Many employees hold inflated titles and are constantly trying to prove their worth.
Our friend, who previously worked at smaller companies, is finding it difficult to adapt. Despite being told by their colleagues during one-on-one meetings that they value their experience and how it will benefit the company, they feel unable to make an impact. This is due to their manager's poor communication and decision-making skills, with many 1:1s being missed, budgets not being released, and no decisions being made. The company is all talk and no action.
The Impact of Disempowerment in the Workplace: A Common Challenge
On the other hand, our friend's team was initially excited when they joined, hoping they would bring change and improvement. However, they soon realized they were just another person trying to do his best in a disorganized company. During their one-on-one meetings, they now express their frustration and disappointment, feeling powerless to bring about change but content with their comfortable salaries.
Unfortunately, our friend's experience is not unique. Many leaders believe they can improve the situation by holding onto control, but this often leads to disempowering smart and ambitious team members. This phenomenon is prevalent in many organizations, resulting in burnout, slowing growth, misaligned teams, and high turnover rates."
Empowerment Strategies for Disempowered Employees. What Can our friend Do to Regain Empowerment?
1) Focus on What's in Control:
Our friend should concentrate on the initiatives that are within their team's control and move forward with them without waiting for permission. During one-on-one meetings, they can provide a space for team members to voice their concerns and then redirect the conversation by asking open-ended questions that focus on solutions.
2) Seek Forgiveness Instead of Permission:
Our friend should take a proactive approach and allocate a budget without waiting for approval. It's better to take action and seek forgiveness later than to wait for permission and risk being criticized for inaction.
3) Bring Things into Perspective:
By taking a step back and putting things into perspective, our friend can avoid getting too overwhelmed by the job. They should remember that the work they do, while important, is not life-saving and that the stress they feel today may not even matter a year from now. Adopting a positive attitude, as our high school music teacher used to say, "don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things," can help bring a fresh perspective to the job.
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