Brave Leaders are Empowering

What does it look like to be a brave leader? And what benefits stem from that type of leadership?  I've witnessed firsthand the extraordinary growth and success that radiates from brave leadership, both for individuals, companies, and the people they serve. Over the next few months, I'll be sharing six key characteristics of these role models, hoping to inspire you to reap similar benefits for those you influence, both professionally and personally.

Here’s the fourth one - brave leaders are empowering.

Empowerment is the act of enabling others to act with confidence, autonomy, and purpose. It requires a leader to relinquish control in some areas, trusting their team to make decisions and take action. This can be difficult for some leaders, especially those who are accustomed to being the sole decision-makers or micromanaging every detail. However, brave leaders recognize that true strength lies in the collective power of the group. When individuals feel empowered, they are more likely to innovate, collaborate, and commit to the shared vision.

One specific brave leader I have had the privilege to know was especially good at demonstrating this quality once he trusted you as a dedicated member of his team.   He was purposeful in clearly and frequently communicating his vision and then taking a step back and watching his team execute – often to his surprise at what we developed.  The empowerment he gave us didn’t mean he was a passive leader, quite the opposite.  However, once he had helped us understand the goals, objectives, boundaries and resources – he had faith that the team he had would be able to get the job done and often surpass the company’s expectations.

Working for someone like him gave us all the freedom and courage to think outside the box.  When developing software that was both functional and marketable, this was key.  We didn’t have many constraints which allowed us to flex our creativity and collaborate as a team without feeling second guessed or constantly judged.  Did we make mistakes – of course.  But we were given the space to learn from them and grow as a result making our team stronger and stronger in the process all due to feeling empowered.

So how can you empower your team as a brave leader?  Here are some ideas:

Seek Opportunities to Give Employees More Responsibility

In other words, delegate.  The sheer act of passing on tasks to the people on your team will empower them to want to succeed and take over where you have left off.  Allowing people to represent your team in meetings, making that key presentation to leadership, or managing projects that you may not have time to oversee but still need done are all ways to spread those opportunities.  Empowering others helps create a culture of leadership at every level.

Encourage Ideas and Execute Them

I have seen leaders hold specific “brainstorm sessions” on a regular basis with their teams where nothing is off limits.  If the team members have suggestions for improvements, they are not only encouraged but expected to bring them forward.  It’s not enough just to host the session though.  You must be willing to execute the ideas even if on a trial period and put measurements in place to evaluate them after a pre-determined period.  Once your team sees this happen, the ideas will continue to flow and the trust in you as a leader will multiply.

Provide Resources and Support

Empowering others doesn’t mean leaving them to figure everything out on their own. Brave leaders provide their teams with the resources, training, and guidance necessary for success. This could involve professional development opportunities, access to tools and technology, or offering constructive feedback to help people grow. Empowerment is not about doing everything for others; it’s about ensuring they have what they need to do their best work.

Empowering others is one of the cornerstones of brave leadership.  By trusting, supporting and developing those around them, brave leaders create an environment where individuals feel confident, motivated, and capable of achieving great things.  When you empower those around you, you’re not just creating amazing teams; you’re creating future brave leaders.

These mindsets form the foundation of brave leadership that drives lasting change and creates environments where people thrive and achieve their highest potential. Are you brave enough as a leader? I can help unlock your full potential, allowing you to become a more courageous, confident leader. Together, we'll explore your strengths, identify your blind spots, and develop a personalized strategy to help you achieve your goals. Click here to set up a discovery call to see how I can help.