“Viewpoint” is a new series of opinion posts from WorkSync that spotlight our take on the big ideas affecting today’s workforce and businesses.

What do you think of when you think of power?

Leading others? Making decisions? Having control?

These are common conceptions — and, of course, they’re true — but in fact they miss a crucial aspect of what it really means to possess and use power wisely.

So what is that missing element? What’s the secret to successfully wielding power in a way that most benefits you, your organization, and those you lead? Quite simply, it’s empowerment.

Empowerment is a term you hear more and more often these days, but it’s not always fully understood. At its core is the idea of giving others a sense of power — a sense that they play a vital role in decision-making and problem-solving.

When people feel empowered, they’re inspired to be their best selves and do their best work. They feel trusted. Like their opinion matters. Like they have a choice over what they do and how they do it. This inevitably leads to higher job satisfaction and a deeper commitment to their organization. It’s a potent recipe for success.

As a leader, though, you may find the practice of empowerment challenging at first. That’s natural. It can be difficult to let go, to delegate, to put your faith in the people you lead — especially when the future of your business is at stake. The loss of control is something we grapple with in every aspect of our lives. But when you’re feeling uncertain, remember that the potential rewards of empowerment far outweigh the pitfalls.

It’s ironic but true: Only by sharing power — by putting it in the hands of others — can you truly make the most of the power you have.

So what does empowerment look like in action? It can take many forms. Greater transparency, collective decisions, open communication, flexible scheduling, remote work — anything that departs from a rigid top-down structure and gives your team more agency and authority over their jobs.

Around the world, we’re at a moment in time when we’re rethinking things we’ve long taken for granted. One of those things should be power: how it works and how we distribute it within our organizations. For the workforce of the future, empowerment will be an essential expectation, and it’s up to today’s leaders to take strides in delivering it.

WorkSync offers leading workforce management solutions for your organization. Learn more and request a demo today at workSync.com.