Empowerment vs. Delegation

By: Max Landsberg, the author of The Tao of Coaching

Delegation is an old idea used in the traditional management model.

The idea was to make sure that responsibility and authority were equal for every job.

When delegation was implemented correctly, people had the authority that they needed to execute their responsibilities.

Limitations of this approach: assigning authority does not mean that someone has the ability, motivation, and understanding necessary to perform.

Delegations DOs and DON'Ts

Empowerment is a core concept of the new management model. In the new-generation adaptive organization, delegation is replaced by empowerment, and responsibility by ownership. Authority and responsibilities are formal aspects or organizing. They are based upon organizational properties and not individual capabilities.

Empowerment and ownership are social aspects of organizing, They are based on efficacy and initiative, and not just on roles and requirements. They belong to people.

Employee Empowerment

10 Steps