Case 4: Organizing (Delegation)

Title: Employee Empowerment and Job Satisfactions

➢ Mr. Edward Viceral was a middle-level manager in a rent-a-car business. He did not believe in
empowering his subordinates, so, most of the time, he was very busy and had no time to socialize
with others and bond with his family members. Although financially stable, he and his family
members were not happy. In the workplace he was alienated by others.
Willingness to delegate work to others and to allow them to decide on their own, on certain
matters, are essential in empowering subordinates. Failure to believe in empowering others is now
considered negative in the new workplace and has many adverse effects on the individuals and,
ultimately, on members of the family and on co-workers and superiors.
On noticing that something was lacking in his life, Edward consulted an industrial
psychologist who gave him a set of questions to answer. The main objective of the psychologist
was for Edward to know himself better and to make him realize that through delegation, he could
have more quality time with others in his workplace and with his family. Among the questions
asked were: “Do you prefer to do things by yourself because of the time people are too
inexperienced to do things?” “Do you think mistakes by others are too costly, so you do not assign
much work to them?’ “Do you often feel that you get quicker action by doing a job yourself?” “Do
you trust others?” More consultation followed for several weeks.
A few moments later, Edward became a happier person because of his new mindset.
Trusting others and willingness to delegate and empower others enabled him to spend more time
with his family and others, which, in turn, made them all happier- both at work and in life. Edwards
co-workers also became happy upon being empowered and trusted; members of his family felt that
they are important to Edward and this made them happy, too.

Questions

1. Explain the relationship between empowerment in the workplace and happiness or

satisfaction among concerned individuals.
2. Give your personal comment on the following statement. “Some things simply should not be
delegated to others.” Explain your answer.