The Myth of the Empowered Warrior
Author: Tony Dovale

Just what is empowerment? I recently met a highly placed man (CEO) from a very large local insurance company. And he proudly informed me that ALL of his staff were TOTALLY empowered – all the way from the receptionist through to the salespeople and the managers. He smugly told me that they could do almost anything that they want to! Just after that comment he also insinuated that they were NOT DOING VERY MUCH with this empowerment. Why Not? We know - Because they lacked the “FLI” factor.

In business today, we seem to believe that empowerment is giving opportunity and sometimes-even tools. These tools are usually rational skill tools (IQ) – computer literacy, accounting knowledge, product knowledge, sales rules, presentation skills, customer service rules etc. all clinical, cold, intellectual, rational skills! The “read it in any book” stuff!

BUT, very seldom do we see people being empowered on the emotional and behavioral level. Most astute business people know that their business is not run in rational isolation - decisions are more than 80-85% emotionally based. They also know that relationships, trust, responsibility and ability is also emotionally and attitudinally based. If this is so, then why do we expect our people to perform greater than 80% of their job with IQ style training, foundational skills, values, beliefs and abilities that most of us learnt from our parents before the age of six or seven.

True empowerment comes from developing and multi-skilling people on all AQ,EQ and IQ. As we move into the 21st Century – everyone seems to be polarizing more and more. Some people have realized that the core values and pleasures of their lives will be met by their REAL relationships, their personal value to the system, their sense of contribution and collaborative interaction. Others seem to be pushing farther and farther away from getting “in touch”. They pooh paah, all this “feely” relationship and EQ and AQ stuff – Just do your job for the money we pay you! I don’t really care about what happens to you outside of the office arena!- Is their unenlightened attitude. And than they wonder why there is no loyalty.

With the increased levels of competition that abounds in the market there is really only one area where we can truly differentiate ourselves - our staff and their relationships. The internal relationships with us, and the external relationships with our clients, prospects and suppliers.

The Bosses that succeed in the 21st century will be the people who honor the mental, creative AND emotional aspects of their people. People are not just names or numbers– they are a heart and a voice with a life story and a vision. Companies who do not capitalize on the emotional energy of their staff are losing out on a large portion of their staff’s capacity to positively contribute to the success of the organisation and ensure it’s survival into the 21st century.

The formula that controls your E-MOTIVATIONAL OUTPUT, YOUR CAPACITY to respond and interact effectively, is based on the following formula.* (Calmness X Energy level) minus (Stress/Tension X Tiredness/Fatigue level). Test yourself below – Rate each level and fill in the formula at the bottom. (next to the example) Scoring : 1 Low – 10 Highest.

Calmness Rating
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Energy Rating
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Emotional Physical Mental Tension
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Emotional Physical Mental Tiredness
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


(Calmness X Energy)- Tension X Tiredness)=E-motive Factor
eg (3X4) - (7X6)= -30

Your E-MOTIVATIONAL FACTOR is your REAL level of moment to moment EMPOWERMENT. From this positive or negative foundational base you are able to, or expected to, deliver your skills, actions, and abilities. We all need to update our abilities, beliefs, values and internal emotional resources to cope on the above 4 levels. So, If you want to really empower your warriors – do it properly! You can bet your competitors are doing it!
(* Adapted from “Executive EQ – by Cooper & Swaf)






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Tony Dovale - tdovale@lifemasters.co.za
www.lifemasters.co.za
Dragon Slayer and tamer. Developer of Emotionetics tool for personal growth, achievement and total success and freedom from past pain or future fears.!!

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