When I talk to managers, I get the feeling they are important. When I talk to leaders, I get the feeling I am important. – Kevin Box (author and performance coach)

A World of Rapid Change

Our world has undergone significant transformation in recent years. This shift was already beginning before COVID-19, but the pandemic has accelerated changes that continue to impact us, our children, and our broader culture. Advanced technologies like Slack, AI, and various productivity tools have propelled us forward at an unprecedented pace. As we embrace these changes, employee empowerment becomes crucial for adapting successfully.

Technology’s Impact on Business

Consider how dramatically technology has changed inventory and sales management in retail. When I started my career in retail (just a few years ago…), we transmitted orders using a device that connected to a telephone and communicated through audio signals. This cumbersome process was time-consuming and error-prone—any mistake required calling corporate headquarters to delete the file and restart the entire transmission.

Today, automated systems handle ordering and sending with minimal human intervention. In some warehouses, robots even handle the physical picking of items. Thus, our approach must adapt to empower employees towards the efficient use of these advancements.

The New Leadership Paradigm

These technological advancements and societal changes demand a new approach to leadership. While management will always serve a purpose, increasing automation of tasks requires us to lead through influence rather than direct control. Employee empowerment means evolving our role from taskmaster to enabler—equipping people to make sound decisions and implement them effectively.

This new form of leadership is fundamentally relationship-based. The core principles now center on nurturing and supporting our partners rather than simply issuing commands.

A Question for Reflection

So, I’ll ask the question: What kind of leader am I? What kind of leader are you? Consider how your leadership style incorporates the empowerment of employees in today’s dynamic environment.

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