Culture of empowerment  

Main image: John Jenkins, CEO of Haydock Finance

At Haydock Finance we believe creating a culture of empowerment involves nurturing an environment where our teams feel valued, trusted, and motivated to contribute their best efforts. Here are some key strategies to help establish a culture of empowerment: 

1. Clear Communication and Transparency: Establish open and transparent communication channels to keep your teams informed about company goals, strategies, and decisions. Having transparency throughout your business builds trust, making people feel more connected to the organisation and empowered by understanding the broader context of their work. 
2. Define and Communicate Expectations: Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each of your people. When expectations are well-defined, we find our people have a clearer understanding of their contributions, enabling them to take ownership of their work and this makes informed decision making  easier. 
3. Encourage Initiative and Autonomy: Empower teams by encouraging them to take initiative and make decisions within their roles. This allows room for creativity and innovation. It is important to recognise and reward the individuals who demonstrate autonomy and contribute positively to the company's success. 
4. Provide Continuous Learning Opportunities: Invest in people’s development and provide access to training and learning resources. Our culture of empowerment is cultivated through personal development and knowledge-based training.  If people feel supported in enhancing their skills, this will lead to increased confidence and the ability to take on new challenges.   
5. Recognise and Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate both individual and team accomplishments. Recognition fosters a sense of pride and empowerment, motivating teams to continue to strive for excellence. This recognition can be both formal, such as awards or promotions, and informal, like public acknowledgment. At Haydock Finance we also take the opportunity to celebrate together, our annual Christmas and summer events are a key part of our social calendar and much loved by all our teams.    
6. Foster a Collaborative Environment: Encourage collaboration and teamwork. A culture of empowerment doesn't mean isolation; it thrives in an environment where individuals collaborate, share ideas, and work collectively towards common goals. Work to foster a sense of community and shared purpose. 
7. Provide Feedback and Support: Regular feedback is crucial for people’s growth. Create a feedback-rich environment where constructive criticism is given and received positively. It is also important to support people in their professional development by providing mentorship and coaching.  
8. Flexible Work Environment: Think about offering flexibility in work arrangements, recognising that all your people will have different work styles and preferences. A flexible environment empowers people to manage their work-life balance, contributing to overall job satisfaction and motivation. At Haydock we have an agile working policy which allows every member of the team to work a minimum one day at home. 
9. Lead by Example: Leaders play a pivotal role in shaping company culture. Demonstrate empowerment in leadership by trusting and supporting your team and giving them the tools and the safe environment they need to be able to make good decisions. Lead by example, showcasing the behaviour and values that align with your empowered culture. 
10. Encourage Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse and inclusive workplace fosters empowerment by embracing different perspectives and ideas, and mirroring the diverse customer base so many businesses enjoy. Ensuring that your teams feel valued, heard, and included, contributes to a strong sense of belonging.

A culture of empowerment requires a holistic and adaptable approach but it is well worth investing the time to cultivate an environment where people feel empowered, motivated, and engaged in their work. This investment leads to increased customer satisfaction, productivity, innovation, and overall organisational success. 

John Jenkins is an experienced CEO, Business Leader, and Commercial Leader with over 30 years’ experience in finance, having previously been CEO of GE Capital. He has been CEO of Haydock Finance for over 5 years.