Earn empowerment rather than wait for it. Admit that you are more responsible for your performance and career growth than is your supervisor. Identify your desired results and actions in your professional plan. Anticipate what your supervisory leader needs to trust you have earned empowerment. Help your manager serve as a mentor by stating your intent through your plan and seeking coaching. Proactively seek to develop higher levels of trust in your competence and character for the seven levels of empowerment: (1) Tell, (2) Teach, (3) Direct, (4) Coach, (5) Support, (6) Delegate, (7) Empower.

Dyson Empowerment Model

The model shows how one earns trust in self and from others through attitude/character combined with ability/competence. Trust is determined for each key activity. In one role you may need to be told how to start; in another, you may deserve delegation. As trust in your attitude and ability increase, your need for supervision decreases.

As trust increases, empowerment increases and supervision decreases.

Source: Professionalism Under Stress (Dunn & Dyson), chapter 2.

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