When I was a little girl one of my favorite trips was to visit my grandparents in Brooklyn. I made this drive almost weekly from New Jersey with my twin sister. My mother would pack up all of our stuff and head back to the place she was raised and felt most comfortable. My grandparents were immigrants and lived in the same apartment that my mother grew up in with her two brothers. My father always worked on Saturdays so he would never join us. It was just my mother and the “girls” escaping the suburbs and entering the surreal world of old.
I loved these visits because my sister and I were transported to customs and foods of my mother’s past. We were introduced to deli, knishes and the biggest pickles you ever saw. Although these delicacies were a big draw, the best part of these excursions was going to the local park. Each part of Brooklyn had its own smaller play area for the kids. The metal swings and slide were hot in the summer but never seemed to bother us. My twin and I felt like we owned the park- it was ours for the taking. That is not to say that anyone ever argued over equipment because there was plenty, we just sensed it was a comfortable, approachable and exciting place we couldn’t wait to explore. I felt empowered to discover, try new things and be myself within a community I belonged.
[Tweet “Empowered leaders are authentic and have a strong sense of belonging.”]
Imagine if teams, organizations or collaborations could cultivate a similar environment where each person felt empowered. Imagine a comfortable place that you looked forward to going routinely, where you felt a sense of belonging and worth. That work world can exist and must exist for talented leaders to stay and flourish. Here’s the kind of playground we need to lead:
A place where people feel important
Just like my sister and I felt in “my grandmother’s park”, everyone needs to feel they are valued and worthy. Leaders who show their teams that they matter and their very being and work contributions are appreciated, empower others to lead.
[Tweet “Empowered leaders cultivate future leadership in others.”]
A place where people feel safe
Maslow spoke of a hierarchy of needs that includes a desire for safety and belonging. When we sense that our physical and emotional requirements are met, we are more able to move ahead into deeper exploration and connection with others.
A place where people are excited
There’s nothing like the thrill of a swing going high or being challenged with a meaningful project. Work that’s stimulating and a team who we can enjoy having lunch or coffee with is the best. When both our job responsibilities and the people we see daily bring us joy, we feel empowered to perform.
A place where new ideas are welcomed
Being open-minded and willing to listen to new perspectives empowers leaders to grow and make important discoveries. We all want our ideas and opinions to be considered and integrated into our team’s end result. When we see that our suggestions are part of the bigger project, we feel empowered to contribute even more.
Are you an empowered leader? How do you help empower others to be their best?
Excellent post Terri, very relevant. Yes, I am an empowered leader. In regards leadership, I once wrote; Leadership is bringing people into new realms of excellence and challenging them to become distinguished in their chosen field. ~ O. Anyado 2014.
I love your idea of “challenging leaders to become distinguished” as we each become more empowered when we can make a valuable contribution and be recognized for it. Each of us has our own talents and gifts to contribute and empowered leaders help others connect with those strengths.
Thanks for stopping by Onyi and adding your great comments!
Terri
Terri, Love this example. A huge part of what leaders do is to create a feeling of safety even admist turmoil and angst. When people feel secure they are free to take risks and truly come alive.
Cultivating a secure environment for people to grow and feel valued is another great way for leaders to feel empowered and help empower others.
Being approachable and taking the time to really find the unique qualities in others can build meaningful relationships as well as a high performing team.
Thanks Karin!
Great post Terri. Love using the power of imagination to create something amazing in the “real world”. Have used this approach with teams in the past and it was a lot of fun and really helped put emotion and energy into the vision. Thank you!
Our imaginations can empower us to see a different perspective which can lead to innovation and change.
What kind of activities have you used with your teams, Scott? Would love to hear about it.
I also agree with you that: “(imagination) helped put emotion and energy into the vision.” When leaders can connect with how they are feeling they can make wiser and more meaningful decisions.
Thanks Scott for your great insights!
What a great childhood story, Terri! Thank you so much for sharing!
Love this: “A comfortable, approachable and exciting place we couldn’t wait to explore. I felt empowered to discover, try new things and be myself within a community I belonged.”
We all need to find those safe, comfortable playgrounds…no matter our age!
When we can create work environments where people feel secure enough to offer their outlandish ideas or inner thoughts, we have been successful in leading.
The childhood story I shared has stayed with me and influenced many of my actions in adulthood. Quite powerful.
Thanks LaRae!
Terri, I love the visual of “the place.” Putting empowerment in terms of place makes it come alive. If the place (e.g., environment, culture) isn’t empowering, the human spirit will notice. We need to create the right places to empower and emote the right feelings and actions. Jon
I love your idea of “if the place isn’t empowering, the human spirit will notice.” Brilliant!
Leaders must take notice and cultivate that rich environment for a team to feel comfortable, safe and filled with energy.
I appreciate your sage advice, Jon!
Terri
Terri,
I love remembering visits to my grandparents too! And as I read your story I felt like I was on the adventure with you.
Your post made me think of recent interactions with my neighbors, and the growing realization that many of them don’t feel valued by the world simply because of their heritage and culture.
Part of me was thinking that there is a victim mentality that has been passed along that others have picked up. Which may be part of it. However, you just gave me a new perspective. In spite of what they think of the world, I have the opportunity to show them I value them. Thank you for the reminder.
It must be difficult to feel that other people don’t see our worth or value. Your idea of telling others how important they are to you and what a meaningful impact they have made on your life is extraordinary, Chery!
It’s interesting how we do create our self-worth partly by what the world says about us. Yet the most essential way for people to see their value is to understand their own gifts and contributions to themselves and those who surround them.
Thanks Chery for your insightful additions!