Let’s continue to dig into Zapp!, a book that focuses on the importance of empowerment in the workplace and the negative consequences of a disempowering management style. The next case study illustrates common problems that develop as a result of an employee’s lack of empowerment. Author William C. Byham uses the term “Zapp” to describe empowerment, engagement, and energy. “Sapp” is the term he uses for the opposite.
Case Study
Joe is the supervisor of Department N. His people are frustrated, demoralized, and disconnected from their work. He discovers Department Z, led by Lucy, has a totally different culture. Joe learns that the hierarchical and authoritarian management approach that he uses and works under restricts autonomy, stifles creativity, and discourages employee engagement. Joe decides that he wants his department to be like Department Z and so he tries to emulate Lucy.
By trial and error, Joe discovers that programs that normally fail actually work when the principles of Zapp are present. He develops two lists that summarize his observations.
Sapped (de-energized, disempowered, demoralized) you feel:
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Your job belongs to the organization
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You are just taking orders
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Your job really doesn’t matter
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You don’t know how well you are doing
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You always have to keep your mouth shut
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Your job is different from who you are
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You have little or no control over your work
Zapped (energized, empowered, engaged) you feel:
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Your job belongs to you
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You are responsible
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Your job counts
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You know where you stand
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You have some say in how things are done
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Your job is part of who you are
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You have some control over your work
The rest of the book, which I’ll discuss in a future email, is devoted to how to build a Zapped environment for your team.