Embracing empowerment

How to break free from the chains of authoritarian culture and conditioning

For all of the advice given to product people about “being empowered,” there is a cultural blind spot among those who give the advice.

For people who were brought up in authoritarian cultures, it can be quite the challenge to adapt to an environment where all of a sudden they’re empowered to make decisions without someone looking over their shoulder or vetoing them. Yes, you read that right. It can be frightening to have that much freedom if you haven’t had it before. With great freedom comes great responsibility. If you make a bad decision, it’s on you. And so people in this situation for the first time can often have feelings of discomfort, uncertainty, or lack confidence when faced with this new freedom to make their own decisions.

Authoritarian cultures leave decision-making muscles weak

Authoritative cultures often have stiff hierarchies and power dynamics, and individuals may be taught to follow authority figures, like company management, without questioning their decisions. When placed in a situation where they are expected to make their own decisions, they may feel unsure of how to proceed or may struggle to assert themselves.

There may also be a lack of emphasis on individual autonomy and personal agency. This can make it difficult for people to develop the skills and mindset needed to make decisions independently and take ownership of the outcomes.

It’s not that these folks don’t want to take advantage of empowerment; they either don’t know how, are too afraid of the consequences of a mistake, or have been too conditioned to even think that it’s part of their job to challenge company norms, strategy, or leadership.

Building confidence

There is no better teacher than doing and reflecting on what worked and what didn’t. For folks who are uncomfortable with failure, this will be out of your comfort zone. That’s ok. You can’t build muscle without tearing it first.

The following advice is not only for those seeking to deal with their newfound empowerment but also for anyone who struggles with confidence in decision-making.

• Embrace freedom: Although it can be uncomfortable to have so much freedom and responsibility, it’s important to recognize that this is a valuable opportunity for growth. Embrace the chance to learn and develop your decision-making skills.

• Get a mentor: Seek out a work peer that will be willing to help evaluate your decision-making process. Choose a peer and not your direct manager so there is no room for judgment. This person will function as a mentor or a coach. I recommend a work peer over an outside mentor or coach. Knowing the company culture and the problems you’re working on will make them a more effective coach.

• Research decision-making frameworks: Seek out resources that can help you make better decisions. Your peer coach may help with these but I also recommend researching and identifying decision-making frameworks that you can use for reps in decision making. The more reps you do, the less you will need these frameworks.

• Recognize and challenge unhelpful thought patterns: If you find yourself automatically deferring to authority figures or feeling like you lack the skills or knowledge to make decisions, try to identify the evidence for and against these beliefs. Consider whether they are accurate and challenge them.

• Reflect on your decisions: After making a decision, take time to reflect on the outcome. Consider what went well and what could have been done differently. This will help you learn from your experiences and make better decisions in the future.