Empowerment Without Guidelines and Guidance is Foolish

Some managers have no idea what they're doing. They may have transferred from a different department or industry and be out of their depth in their new roles. Whenever employees ask for advice, such managers may dismiss them with excuses or tell them to sort it out themselves, which is not quite the empowerment they're looking for.

Solution: If this describes you, make it a point to get familiar with all the roles in your department and be able to step in to help any employee at any time. If saving face is important, you always can approach this learning phase by telling each employee that you want a more thorough understanding of his or her job in order to be more helpful and be able to discuss roles more knowledgeably. The employee will appreciate this interest and should be encouraged to take the opportunity to suggest alternative ways of working. A healthy rapport and mutual trust can be established in this way between yourself and your employees.

—Terri Levine, CEO of Comprehensive Coaching U,

and author of the new book "Stop Managing, Start Coaching."

She can be reached via the Web site: www.terrilevine.com