How to Empower Employees

How to empower employees is something all small business owners seek to master. While easier said than done, empowering your employees is completely do-able and important for the success of your business. Here are six tips on how to empower employees:

1. Make sure employee goals align with company goals. This should be determined during the hiring process, not after your new hire has signed the contract. Having an employee who is invested in the mission and excited about what your business does is incredibly valuable. Often, if an employee’s goals are aligned with the business’ it will be easier for them to work through momentary frustrations. In addition, they are more likely to stay and grow with the company.
2. Make the advancement path as clear as possible. This can be difficult for small businesses, but it is an important thing to consider in how to empower employees. Discuss each individual’s goals BEFORE they are hired, making clear how you intend to help them chart their career path. However, keep in mind that your role in an employee’s advancement may be helping them get another job, once it is time for them to leave the company.
3. Challenge your employees. This is one of the most important tips in how to empower employees. As small business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders it is imperative that you challenge your employees in a way that is constructive, allows for creativity, and furthers their learning along with the growth of the business. Be sure to allow for safe failure, keeping in mind an appropriate level of challenge that does not turn into additional stress or overload.
4. Express gratitude. We all know the value of positive words and encouragement in the workplace. Expressing gratitude for a job well-done or going above and beyond is a sure way to empower employees. This not only fosters a culture of positivity and trust but also acknowledges their value as an employee at your company.
5. Make expectations clear. In working on how to empower employees, making expectations clear is necessary. People working in any capacity within a company perform better when they know what is expected of them, often working to exceed those expectations.
6. Stay out of the way as much as possible! After you have established these ways to empower employees, the next step is to stay out of the way. This can be a difficult task for business owners and managers, but it is the only way to truly empower your employees. Once you have established their roles, expectations, and developed a trusting relationship, it is time to step back and let them do the great work you hired them to do!

Hiring employees for your small business is exciting, yet terrifying. Even more, empowering your employees is difficult and takes incredible care and patience, yet it may be one of the most important things you do to establish and grow your business. Do you love the challenge of owning a small business? If so, are you looking to buy another business or perhaps sell your current one? Connect with a business broker at Sunbelt today, and we can help you get started with the process!