5 Ways to Empower Others
Whether it be a child or adult, a friend, family member or coworker, when you empower another person, the impact is usually multiplied and can be transferred to numerous other people. This is also true of disempowerment, so it is imperative to be aware of how your words and actions impact others. Here are some ways to be intentional about empowering the people in your life.
Listen and Acknowledge
Listening involves being completely present with the person that is talking to you. Taking the time to truly listen to someone shows them you care and that they are important to you. Avoid distractions such as cell phones and be sure to make eye contact and focus completely on them. Listening to understand another person’s point of view and challenges and acknowledging them is empowering.
Encourage and Support
Encouraging others by sincerely recognizing their strengths and letting them know you believe in them is one of the most impactful forms of empowerment. Avoid criticism unless it is constructive feedback done in a positive way. According to the research of John Gottman and Robert Levenson, it takes five positive comments to offset a negative one. Too much criticism leads to disempowerment. Providing regular support and being a cheerleader for your team or loved ones is valuable and helps them get through the challenging times and keep moving forward.
Rise to the Occasion
Some of the most empowering people I’ve had in my life have been the ones that let me know they believed in me by offering me challenges that made me stretch my skills and grow when I didn’t always believe that I could. Growth doesn’t occur without taking risks and pushing limits and I don’t think my life would be the same without the help of the people in my life that challenged me.
Show Genuine Appreciation
Showing appreciation for accomplishments or actions helps people to feel seen, acknowledged and ultimately empowered. Being sincere, specific, and timely shows genuine appreciation and empowers people to continue to work hard and repeat positive actions.
Be a Mentor
Giving back by spending time to help someone else grow is not only empowering to the person you are mentoring but also one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself. Think back to the most influential people in your life that took the time to help you during your childhood or when you were beginning your career or taking on a new challenge. Would you be where you are right now if it wasn’t for those people? Volunteering time to mentor others changes lives and is so needed in the world right now.
