Empowered Execution in Teams
Asking and offering allow teams to make sure that the right tasks get done. Asking is more important than most of us intuitively realise. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
When teams have clarity on their context and possess the capability to deliver on what is required of them, they are able to choose and implement the right tasks. Members are able to readily identify opportunities to progress the team towards its objectives, to minimise risks that may jeopardise achieving those objectives and take action on the things that are going to have the most impact.
This is what we could call "empowered execution", which is a phrase that I have adopted from Team of Teams. In that book, what was required was for troops to make decisions and take actions that were in the best interest of the mission. This was a shift that required empowering people closer to the action and away from those with hierarchical power. As it is beautifully stated in the book, "people can only be effectively empowered if they have enough context to make good decisions".
What is empowerment? Here are two definitions...
Definition 1:
“authority or power given to someone to do something”
Definition 2:
“the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights”
These look like two opposing views. In the first definition, empowerment is given. In the second definition, empowerment is taken.
It is my view that the most useful way to consider empowerment is as requiring both give and take.
Professor Wayne Baker of Ross Business School has published a book called "All you have to do is ask". It's based on the premise that asking for help is the trigger that enables others to help. Asking and offering allows teams to make sure that the right tasks get done. Asking is more important than most of us intuitively realise.
There are two things that are required for teams to do more of the right tasks:
Team members need to feel willing and able to do so
Leaders need to create an environment, where this is possible
As we've seen with Wayne Baker's work, for both leaders and team members, asking can promote this.
Here are some things for you to consider both individually and in your teams this week:
What is your asking/giving preference? You can take this assessment individually: https://allyouhavetodoisask.com/assess
Is there a thoughtful request that you can make this week in one of your teams?
I'd love to hear your experience.