Worker empowerment can be achieved through creating a boundary-less work environment. This environment traverses old mechanisms of hierarchy and policy to stimulate creative thinking, collaboration, and the implementation of diverse business strategies and ideas. There are a few considerations to address before a boundary-less environment is established.
What (worker empowerment) Employee Benefits are Right for Us?
There are multiple benefits of no boundaries. Employers must consider which benefits make the most sense for them now and which ones they want to pursue in the future. Do they want to achieve employee autonomy? Improved collaboration, or workplace flexibility? Addressing the current areas of concern and opportunities within the company, will give leaders a good idea of which benefits to target first.
Do We Need to Update Our Technology?
Companies must review their existing technological capabilities and decide if they are equipped to encourage worker empowerment through a boundary-less environment. This will involve a few processes:
- Determine the tools needed to improve collaboration.
- Allow workers to bring their own devices to work that will foster communication, collaboration, and creativity.
- Tap the technological know-how of non-IT personnel.
- Shop around for various technologies that enable management of remote teams.
Align Empowerment with Company Strategy
Pick worker empowerment initiatives that fall in line with company strategy. For example, if a goal for your company is to create more brick and mortar stores, then pursuing a work from home empowerment initiative will not help to achieve this goal.
Leadership Buy In
Company leaders and managers must buy into worker empowerment initiatives and pursue strategies to make them happen. This can occur if: leadership buy in is communicated and demonstrated, if leaders visibly support and encourage boundary-less behaviors, and if leaders listen to and incorporate feedback.
Once these issues are addressed, companies will be ready to empower workers and empower their business.
