Have you ever asked your product teams if they want to be empowered? If not, it might be worth giving it a try. Here’s why:”

Empowering Product Teams isn’t simply a different work style.

It’s a substantial shift, a reallocation of power and responsibility. It’s about moving authority from the leadership team to the product team itself.

Viewed systemically, this power can only be effectively transferred when it’s genuinely accepted by the receiving party.

But this crucial part is often skipped in the process, causing the vital moment of understanding and the actual power transfer to be overlooked.

This hurry can lead to stress and confusion within the product team.

How important this power transfer is, can be seen whenever a new heads of state is elected. They go through a inauguration to officially overtake the duties.

While we don’t need to replicate such elaborate ceremonies, I firmly believe we should establish clear, deliberate moments of empowerment for our teams, ensuring a supportive transition.

These considered moments can greatly help in setting the tone and establishing a sense of commitment within the team.

Empowering teams is not about abandoning them to their fate, it’s about setting them up for success. As leaders, we need to:

Clearly communicate the intent and extent of empowerment. Provide resources and support to ensure the team can handle the new responsibilities. Establish a clear, deliberate moment of empowerment and acceptance by the team. Foster a culture of trust where teams feel safe to make decisions. Regularly check in and provide constructive feedback. Celebrate successes and learn from failures together.