Self Empowerment
Organizational Science Summer Institute
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Brenda J. Allen, Ph.D.
University of Colorado Denver
Workshop Goals
To provide insight and information
about self empowerment
To increase perceptions of self
empowerment
To share strategies for increasing self
empowerment
What is Empowerment?
Noun form of empower
to give official authority or legal
power
to enable
to promote self-actualization
POWER
Power
Complex concept related to how
people influence one another
on individual and systems levels
Traditional Views of Power
Influence
Status
Hierarchy
Bureaucracy
Types of Power*
Reward
Coercive
Referent
Expert
Legitimate
*(French & Raven, 1959)
Alternative Views of Power*
Shared power
Power with
Power from within
* Starhawk (1987)
Critical Theory
Complex school of thought
Marxist tradition/roots – Frankfurt School
Seeks to raise consciousness
Strives to liberate, emancipate (social
justice)
Multidisciplinary
Various forms
Feminist theories
Critical race theory
Postcolonial theory
Queer theory
Critical Theory & Communication
Power and communication interrelate
Power infuses surface and deep
structures
Communication plays pivotal role
Creates and shapes structures and rules
Provides means for exercising power
Helps to change power dynamics
Goals of Critical Theorists
Explore how and why people comply
Study how and why people resist
Seek to raise consciousness
Strive to liberate, emancipate
Stress significance of communication
Strategies
Assess
Assign
Affirm
Assert
Accomplish
Assess
Take inventory
Monitor yourself
Observe patterns, “tapes”
Be honest
Board Room Imagery Experience
Assign – Be Proactive
Take initiative & responsibility “to
make things happen” (Covey, 1989)
Be “response-able”
Work on areas to improve
Develop social capital
Increase cultural capital
Affirm
Practice Mindfulness
Present Moment Awareness
Positive Mental Attitude
Personal Affirmations
I am. I can. I do. I will.
Assert
Maintain agency
Communicate powerfully
Ask “wiifm?”
Just say “no!”
Refine communication skills
Ask for what you want,
and be prepared to get it.
Maya Angelou
Assert:
Refine Communication Skills
Use “I” language
Listen actively
Manage nonverbal cues
Engage in dialogue
Talk to yourself
Accomplish
Appear empowered
Track progress
Reward yourself
Empower others
Reassess
Wrap Up
