Empowerment is the pot of gold – presenter Chris Howard, of the ABC. 

Overcoming Barriers to Empowered Teams: A Practical Guide to Navigating Change

Empowered teams are crucial in today’s fast-paced world, especially when an organisation is navigating change. 

Empowered teams utilise the knowledge, experience and motivation of individuals; Individuals feel their voice is heard; they’re given the responsibility and authority to make decisions; and they’re afforded a degree of autonomy.

Building empowered teams can be challenging, particularly when dealing with the complexities of transformation. However, by focusing on the right strategies, you can develop empowered teams that not only survive but thrive during times of change. 

Here’s how.

  • Start with a Problem Worth Solving

Empowered teams need a clear and compelling problem to solve, especially during change. It’s easy for organisations to get bogged down in internal issues, losing sight of the bigger picture and what really matters to the customer. That’s why it’s essential to ground your team in a problem that genuinely matters—one that aligns with customer needs and business goals.

The session highlighted the importance of being explicit with the problem you’re trying to solve. For instance, identifying a user need or pain point that isn’t met by your product can serve as a strong starting point. By focusing on this, teams can ensure that their efforts are tied directly to addressing real challenges, making the change process more meaningful and effective.

Key Takeaway: Start with an apparent, customer-centric problem that your team can rally around during change. This keeps everyone focused and aligned with the goal.

  • Create Clear Accountability

Things can get chaotic as change unfolds, making clear accountability even more important. Everyone needs to know who’s responsible for what, ensuring that the correct problems are being tackled and that there’s ownership over the outcomes.

In the session, the presenter emphasised that leadership is crucial. Divisional leadership must ensure teams address the correct problems, while product leadership should relentlessly pursue the correct solutions. This requires aligning team structures with specific domains, giving teams the authority to make decisions, and maintaining clear lines of accountability. However, it’s also vital that leadership remains involved, providing direction and ensuring that teams have the broader context needed to make informed decisions.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Working this way taps into people’s intrinsic motivation as problem solvers. 
  • Empowered teams need clear accountability to stay on track. Leadership should stay connected, offering guidance and ensuring alignment across the organisation.
  • Stay focused on solving business problems that maintain sight of the customer experience.
  • Evolve Leadership Style

Empowerment isn’t just about giving teams more freedom; it’s also about evolving leadership styles to support these teams effectively. Trust is the foundation of an empowered team, but building that trust, especially during change, takes intentional effort.

The session highlighted the importance of leaders taking on a coaching role, guiding and supporting teams rather than dictating their every move. Leaders who are open about challenges and receptive to feedback can build stronger, more resilient teams. However, too much autonomy without clear guidelines can lead to confusion, so balancing freedom with necessary guardrails is crucial. This ensures that teams feel supported but also stay aligned with organisational goals.

Key Takeaway: As change unfolds, leadership must evolve from a controlling approach to a more coaching-oriented one. This balance between autonomy and guidance is critical to sustaining empowered teams during change.

The Benefits of Empowered Teams During Change

The benefits are significant when teams are truly empowered, especially during times of change. Empowered teams are more adaptable, innovative, and engaged, making them better equipped to handle the uncertainties that come with change.

In summary, overcoming the barriers to empowered teams is crucial during periods of change. Organisations can build a culture where empowered teams thrive by focusing on solving the correct problems, establishing clear accountability, and evolving leadership styles. These strategies make the change process smoother and drive long-term success. So, as you navigate your next organisational change, remember that empowered teams are essential, and with the right approach, they can become a reality.

Written: Agile Change Manager Brenda Walhain.