How To Create A Workplace Culture Of Empowerment

Change is an inevitable process that is part of any business that wants to grow…

..and 75% of CEOs say that an educated and adaptable workforce should be a priority for businesses, according to the Global CEO Survey conducted by PwC in 2016. But as we’ve learned studying best-practices in leadership over time, forcing executive company-wide orders is not the best way to enact any sort of change.

Instead, implementing a permanent culture of empowerment is the best way to ensure continuous, positive change. At a time when freelance gigs are aplenty and employee benefits can be used as leverage to attract top talent from one company to the next, it’s necessary for workplaces to foster inspiration, motivation and rewards that continually energize its employees.

It poses as a challenge for any organization to organically develop and implement a work culture that is celebrated by employees across levels and departments —in the Future of Work report, PSFK Labs explores a few key steps to take to help management empower their employees with autonomy, ownership and a sense of purpose.

Identify All Workforce Priorities

Historically, benefit packages and office perks have always been structured around competitive industry norms. However, a focus on what an employee’s true needs and priorities are may present even more value.

Expand and Elevate Employee Roles

Instead of restricting employees to the job role they were hired for, organizations should encourage staff to explore interests that may include taking on incremental responsibilities.

Make Leadership Accessible

Although it is easy to set up an internal organizational structure that has each employee reporting to just one manager, it helps to provide more access to upper management. This creates more support and can be done through numerous internal networking opportunities and structured mentoring sessions.

Make It Easy For Employees To Voice Their Opinion

Instead of suppressing opinions, providing employees with a channel to propose and pursue ideas for organizational improvement is valuable. Referendum processes allows employees to share ideas and pursue ones that have the most potential.

Beta Test In-House

One of the ways a product or service can be tested is by a company’s employees. Although there may be some bias because it is a direct part of their work, it also takes advantage of the fact that this group are filled with the most passionate critics.

PSFK’s Future of Work report deep dives into the talent and development landscape to identify the conditions and qualities that cultivate tomorrow’s leaders at work. Read insights from the full report here.

Lead Image: tec_estromberg | CC | Image altered