Employee empowerment in the workplace is a philosophy that encourages responsibility and trust.

When employees are given the advantage of accountability rather than micromanaging them, they feel confident and comfortable in their roles. This creates a better employee experience and a successful work culture. 

Empowering employees isn’t only about giving a monetary raise, promotion, or complete autonomy. There is a lot that can be done to facilitate a connected culture where the hard work and dedication of all employees fuels the growth of a sustainable business.

In other words, then the onus for creating success does not rest with the entrepreneurs or bosses alone.

The key to happy and productive employees is making sure that they feel important in their roles. Here are 10 great ways to empower your hardworking employees and give back to them:

1. Give them autonomy and provide them with resources.

Delegate work with the intent to develop the capabilities and responsibilities of your employees.

Avoid micromanaging as they complete the task. Relinquishing control can allow employees to grow, as they strive to fulfil expectations. 

However, always be ready to offer guidance and demonstrate your trust on them. Provide all possible tools and resources so that employees can develop their own skills. 

2. Listen to their ideas.

When you give your employees a voice, they feel empowered to have their inputs matter in decision-making and goal-setting.

In many organisations involving employees in boardroom processes may not be feasible. In such cases, being receptive to their ideas can go a long way as well as open up new business ideas.

Employees feel empowered to know that their opinion is valued in areas such as process improvement, operations, or overall department decisions.

3. Breaks should be welcomed.

It’s important to work hard, but it’s also important to relax. If workers are able to take a break, they will be more productive and return to work with a focused attitude.

Create a room in the workplace where the employees can take a break, eat their lunch, and return to work relaxed and ready to work.

4. Give them some training.

Workplace training is vital in every career, but it will help the workforce become more effective at their jobs and provide them with valuable knowledge and skills that will support them in the future. While you want them to stay with you, you can show your appreciation by teaching them skills they wouldn’t have learned otherwise.

When your business grows and you notice areas where you might need more guidance, it’s a good idea to ask your employees for advice. Inquire whether employees want to learn something new or improve their skills in a particular area. This motivates them to work harder and produce better results.

5. Enable them to engage in decision-making.

In order to run a successful business, it is critical to keep the team informed. In order to have good communication and trust, it’s necessary to talk about the company’s future and goals for the coming days or even weeks. This will make them feel valued and show them that their efforts are contributing to the company’s success.

It is necessary that employees and leaders are on the same page about the goals and vision of an organisation.

Employees perform and contribute in a better way when they know what they are working on and how it is making a difference to the business.

Nobody wants to be just another cog in the wheel anymore, they want clearly defined roles. 

Encourage small talk to know your employees outside the purview of work progress and accomplishments. Engagement can lead to positively affecting an employee’s career.

6. Be sympathetic.

Although it is unprofessional to carry personal issues to work, it does occur from time to time. You should be a helper rather than a hindrance to them as their manager.

Give those who are struggling personal leave, and you’ll have a hardworking team who can depend on you as much as you can depend on them.

7. Stress on self-improvement.

Providing employees with variety in work, colleagues, and processes. This can drastically increase job satisfaction and motivate them as they learn new work with new people.

Special projects can add to their skill set and elevate their sense of purpose. Fulfilment and empowerment comes through when employees see their own improvement and contribution respectively.

Mentoring and networking opportunities allow employees to grow in their roles and diversify their social ties. It aids professional well-being and greater engagement at work.

8. Congratulate them for their achievements.

While positive feedback is beneficial in guiding people in the right direction, it is also important to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of employees.

Individually thank them and express that you are aware of where they came from and where they may go next.

9. Have faith in them.

Micromanage rather than delegate work here and there. Once you have more confidence in one another, you’ll both learn more and work more effectively together.

Begin by giving employees more responsibilities and then soliciting input on company issues or ideas.

10. Recognition and rewards.

Appreciation always encourages more innovation. Employees who know that their hard work is being noticed are more likely to take actions and exercise their problem-solving skills. It is a key move to show how much an organisation values its employees. 

Set appropriate goals and commend efforts whenever necessary. This will keep them committed to the company.

Just a ‘good job’ isn’t enough though, specifically reward actions or attitudes that have had the desired impact.

Also read; How to Craft Corporate Welcome Kits That Engage and Impress Employees

Empowering employees means that you trust and understand them with clear communication and strategic delegation. Allow structured flexibility to build positive attitudes and enhance employee empowerment.

A motivated, well-performing employee can never be imitated by the technology. Offering opportunity to employees by leaving an open door, supporting vacation, providing disability support services, etc. empowers them to commit their full selves and produce the best work.

Empowered employees develop empowered businesses that have better chance at success.