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Most people in the business world are familiar with top-down leadership and the notion that the leader of a company sets the direction and manages direct reports. Fewer people, however, are familiar with bottom-up leadership, which is the idea that direct reports manage upward by setting expectations and leading by example.
From a hierarchical perspective, top-down leadership begins with the CEO who charts the overall course and direction for the entire company. From there, the CEO’s guidance is carried out by upper management, middle management and further down the chain throughout the company. This is the management style used by a majority of business organizations.
Bottom-up leadership is a philosophy in which the entire business organization plays a part in charting, directing and leading the overall course of the company. This type of management style embraces a collaborative approach to decision-making and encourages employees of all ranks and levels to actively share their ideas. It focuses on empowering employees throughout a business organization to contribute to the company vision.
While determining the best and most effective approach to running a business is rarely cut and dry, there is much to be said about embracing a bottom-up leadership style. Here are three reasons why nurturing a culture of leadership is an effective business strategy that can help steer your organization down the path of productivity and success.
1. Empowers Each Member Of Your Team
If we define the role of a leader as someone who is dedicated to helping other people achieve their full potential, then creating a culture of leadership is truly in the best interest of everyone at a company.
One way to nurture this is to empower each and every member of your organization’s team. When applied to a workplace setting, allowing employees a certain degree of autonomy and responsibility for making decisions and managing their overall workloads and activities is known as employee empowerment. This type of empowerment allows team members—regardless of their level within the company—the confidence to succeed and the means in which to do so.
A few notable benefits of employee empowerment include:
• A heightened level of trust in leadership.
• Increased levels of creativity and motivation.
• Improved employee retention.
There are many ways to incorporate employee empowerment into your business strategy. One is to listen to your employees and inquire about their concerns and day-to-day challenges. What issues are they facing? Are there certain tools or effective communication strategies that could be implemented to decrease frustrations and increase productivity? What business-related concerns are at the forefront of their minds? Simply listening to your employees builds trust within your workforce and gives each member of your team a powerful voice in how your business functions.
Other employee empowerment strategies include offering or providing professional development opportunities, such as training programs or classes, recognizing and rewarding employees for achievements, and delegating new responsibilities and projects to team members so that they can aspire toward new goals.
Empowering your team enables employees throughout your company to feel confident when making decisions independent of management. It also encourages others to lead by example and creates a more collaborative environment.
2. Frees Up Resources
The success of your organization relies heavily on each employee’s ability to get work done in an efficient and reliable manner. While a team member’s output is hindered by many factors, one sure-fire way to bring productivity to a screeching halt is having to constantly seek a manager’s approval over small, work-related decisions.
However, if your employees feel empowered to make certain decisions without having to ask a manager for approval, it frees up valuable company time that can be put toward other more important business goals.
Allowing employees to make decisions on their own results in more productivity. It also promotes increased trust in the organization, encourages a greater sense of ownership and responsibility, and helps strengthen loyalty and commitment.
3. Empowered Employees Are Happy Employees
Your employees are the most valuable assets of your business. Without their energy, hard work and dedication, it’s difficult for your business to grow and thrive. This is why the No. 1 reason your business should nurture a culture of leadership is that empowering your employees leads to improved morale.
Whether you’re a small-business owner, a mid-level manager or a leader of a large organization, there’s no denying that when a person feels a sense of ownership over their work, they become more invested and passionate about making sure the job is done well.
When you empower your employees with opportunities to make their own decisions or manage their daily activities, you allow them more freedom to handle their job, which, in turn, encourages them to become more invested in the success of the company.
This strategy translates into real business results, such as higher levels of productivity and improved employee retention.
Employee Empowerment Leads To Success
Implementing a bottom-up leadership management approach into your overall business strategy is an excellent way to usher in and nurture a culture of leadership. Empowering each member of your team will produce confident employees who lead by example, free up valuable time and resources, improve productivity and lead to a better workplace culture.
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