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HR HIGHS
Empowered employees redefine horizons of team performance
Employees are the most important resources of an organisation. Employees are the knowledge base of an organisation. Their skills and suggestions are indispensable for success of an organisation. Along with the skills required to perform the duties of their roles, employees have hidden potential pertaining to several other areas. Be it the ability to think logically or under pressure, convince people, social skills, negotiation skills, organisational skills, mentoring skill
s, psychological skills, counselling skills and other abilities are demonstrated only when there is an need for them. And these are the abilities employees can possess irrespective of their rank and role in the organisation. When the managements of organisations identify and utilise these abilities in their employees, they can handle any adverse situation but these are often under utilised.
Proper utilisation of employees does not mean making them work for longer periods but to make efficient use of their calibre. And this is where the intelligence, insight and smartness of the management are reflected.
Employee empowerment and participation are the two important factors on which efficient utilisation of employees depends. And the onus is on the management to promote these at the workplace. Employee empowerment means giving employees power and authority to make decisions on their own. The superiors endorse employees taking authority and responsibility. They do not interfere in their subordinates’ work. Employees are permitted to do everything they can to get a work done but of course there are restrictions.
Empowerment reinforces self-confidence in employees. It makes them feel trusted and valued by their organisation. When a manager bestows more power to his subordinates, they work with increased focus and enthusiasm. It is a motivational factor that makes them determined to achieve goals. They feel more responsible towards not only their targets but also the objectives of their team and the company. Loyalty and commitment also increase. They redefine the horizons of their individual performance, the overall performance of their teams and consequently that of the organisation.
The immediate superior needs to have insight into his subordinates’ abilities to make right use of their potential. He must know whom to delegate which responsibility. He must also know the degree to which he can empower his people. The manager must also be tactical enough to spot and prevent wrong decisions by employees without discouraging them.
Employee empowerment and participation are interrelated. When an employee is empowered, he will not hesitate to participate.
Similarly, when an employee participates and demonstrates his abilities, he will be bestowed additional authority. Employee participation means mental and emotional involvement of employees in workplace activities. It is not to force them but to motivate them to take responsibility and commit to the achievement of goals.
It improves interaction between employees, their work relations and team spirit. It reflects not only in the quantity of their work but also the quality. During meetings and other activities related to the team, managers must ensure that every employee participates. Employees must be educated on the importance of listening and contemplating the opinions of their colleagues. They must be taught the etiquette of interacting with others and the necessity to respect them and their views.
Employee empowerment and participation are possible only with a transparent style of management and earnest sharing of information. The vision, goals and expectations of the organisation must be clearly communicated to employees. Essential information must be made accessible to all to enable them to make the right decisions.
This allows employees to get insight to the values and priorities of the organisation. This is will have influence on the decisions they make. And finally, employees must be duly rewarded for their initiatives and achievements to maintain the culture.
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NITYA SAI SOUMYA
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