Symptom: People could succeed, if only the boss would let go and learn to delegate.
People may be disempowered simply because their boss hasn't learned to delegate.
Delegation is not an innate talent. It is a skill that must be developed. Supervisors must learn when to delegate what, and how to delegate.
Empowerment happens (or doesn't happen) at the moment assignments are given (or, more appropriately, as they are negotiated). The supervisor must:
* Learn to ask for outcomes, not assign tasks.
* Insure that people have the resources and authority they need to do the job.
* Clearly define constraints.
* Negotiate fairly to be sure people willingly agree to the terms.
* Support and coach people, without reassuming accountability.
* Retain accountability for his/her decision to empower people; i.e., not use empowerment to pass blame (scapegoating).
It may be that supervisor training is needed to help bosses do a better job of delegation with empowerment.
Root cause: Culture (entrepreneurship, customer focus, quality)
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