The 3 Keys to Empowerment

An action guide and macro-level understanding of the process required to foster the workplace culture envisioned in Empowerment Takes More Than a Minute.

As Ken Blanchard, John Carlos, and Alan Randolph clearly demonstrated in their previous bestseller, Empowerment Takes More Than a Minute, empowerment is not a goal that can be achieved in a minute. Empowerment is a process that requires ongoing effort, awareness, and commitment to transforming the hierarchy. This essential guide offers managers detailed, hands-on answers to their real-life questions about how, exactly, they can navigate the journey to empowerment.

Written in an easily accessible Q&A format, the book closely examines and expands on the three keys to empowerment originally presented in Empowerment Takes More Than a Minute—sharing information, creating autonomy through boundaries, and replacing the hierarchy with teams. It clearly outlines the promises and challenges of each stage of the journey, providing managers with thought-provoking questions, clear advice, effective activities, and action tools that will help them create a culture of empowerment. Wherever they are in the journey, managers will find a clear roadmap in this user-friendly action guide.

Praise for Empowerment Takes More Than a Minute

“The most truthful, straight-talk book on managing people to come along in eons. This is an exceptional tool for business.” —Harvey MacKay, #1 New York Times-bestselling author

“One of the very best organized, thought out, planned, and written books on any business subject I have read.” —Stanley Bass, Human Resources Consultant, Stan Bass ConsultingPreface
Introduction: The Challenge of Moving to Empowerment
Chapter 1. Releasing the Power within People
Chapter 2. Using Situational Leadership® II to Guide the Journey

Stage One: Starting and Orienting the Journey
Chapter 3. Key #1: Share Information to Kick-Start the Process
Chapter 4. Key #2: Declare Clear Boundaries to Begin Creating Autonomy
Chapter 5. Key #3: Begin Developing Teams to Replace the Hierarchy

Stage Two: Change and Discouragement
Chapter 6. Key #1: Share More Information and Listen for Information
Chapter 7. Key #2: Widen the Boundaries to Create More Autonomy and Responsibility
Chapter 8. Key #3: Let Teams Take on More of the Hierarchical Roles

Stage Three: Adopting and Refining Empowerment
Chapter 9. Key #1: Enhance Information Sharing to Drive Performance
Chapter 10. Key #2: Incorporate Boundaries into Everyone’s Value System
Chapter 11. Key #3: Let Teams Replace the Hierarchy
Conclusion: A Look Back (and Forward) at the Journey
Chapter 12. Summarizing the Action Plan for Creating Empowerment
Notes
IndexKen Blanchard is chairman of The Ken Blanchard Companies, a full-service management consulting and training company in the areas of empowerment, leadership, teamwork, performance management, customer service, quality management, ethics, and visioning. One of the most sought-after speakers to management groups, he is coauthor of 15 books, including The One Minute Manager, many of which have been international bestsellers.

John P. Carlos is a management consultant, trainer, and motivational speaker. He heads his own consulting group and is a consulting partner with The Ken Blanchard Companies. For ten years he was the director of training for Circle K, a retail food company with more than 5,000 outlets worldwide.
Alan Randolph is an internationally known management educator and consultant and accomplished author. His clients have included many of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as a number of smaller entrepreneurial companies. He is the author or coauthor of 6 books and is a consulting partner with The Ken Blanchard Companies.