Creating a Culture of Empowerment

In this economy, it is hard to motivate and empower employees when all around us we see lay-offs, salary freezes, and a struggle for those few openings in the job market. I just read Creating a Culture of Empowerment, an article by Florence Stone, the editorial director for American Management Association, which provides some simple cultural changes companies can make to offset some of these ill-harbored sentiments. Here's the high level list:

• Listen to employees
• Demonstrate your trust
• Keep employees informed
• Help employees balance work and personal lives
• Foster open communication
• Give bad news straight
• Encourage reasonable risk
• Foster autonomy
• Praise success
• Link rewards to organizational goals

They delve into each suggestion in the article, explaining and providing examples to help both new and experienced managers create a culture of empowerment.