“I Can Do It”: Why Empowerment Changes Everything

One of the most powerful moments from my volunteering trip with Hope for Justice in Ethiopia didn’t happen in a boardroom, a meeting, or a workshop. It happened the moment we were welcomed by a women’s self-help group - standing together, chanting words that translate simply to: “I can do it.”

From that very first moment, I knew this was something special. Not just because of the incredible women standing in front of us, but because this was empowerment in action. You could feel it - the confidence, the ownership, the belief that they were capable of shaping their own futures. This wasn’t empowerment given to them, it was empowerment claimed.

As Tim Nelson, CEO of Hope for Justice, explains:

“Attending the group helps in so many ways, small and large. Because of the groups, when members need help, instead of feeling alone, they have it. Instead of being financially desperate, they are part of a pooled savings group. And instead of allowing their children to be recruited by traffickers posing as brokers, as sadly so many desperate families do, they take part in lessons from the group to keep their families together and safe.”

And as one member shared so powerfully:

“Before joining the group, I felt alone with the weight of our struggles. But through the group, I found sisters who supported me, training that equipped me, and savings that gave me dignity. The group didn’t just help me survive - it gave my family a second chance.”

And that’s at the heart of empowerment - and why it’s such a powerful leadership tool.

What Empowerment Really Looks Like

What struck me most about Hope for Justice’s approach to self-help groups was not what they did - but what they deliberately didn’t do. They don’t simply give people money.

Because handouts don’t create empowerment. Ownership does. Sustainable change happens when people are given the skills, confidence, and belief to take control for themselves.

As the saying goes, “Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.” Seeing that principle brought to life made it impossible to forget.

Why Empowerment Matters for Leaders

Although this experience took place thousands of miles away, the lesson is deeply relevant for leaders everywhere. Because empowered people take ownership, build confidence through capability, solve problems, and grow beyond their role. Disempowered people, by contrast, wait, hesitate, and shrink.

And this matters. Research consistently shows that empowered employees deliver higher performance, trust, job satisfaction, and commitment. One study even found that nearly half of people would trade a 20% pay rise for greater control over how they work.

Practical Ways to Empower Your People

At Step It Up HR, we’re big on action, so here are ten practical ways we share with leaders to build empowerment into everyday leadership.

1. Start with shared clarity

Be clear on your mission, purpose, values and goals so people can make aligned decisions and move forward without constant approval.

2. Shift from telling to asking

Ask questions like “What do you think?” or “How would you approach this?” to invite ownership and independent thinking.

3. Lead with trust

Show trust through your actions - give people space to decide and act, and be available without hovering.

4. Empower outcomes, not tasks

Be clear on the outcome you’re aiming for, then give people the space to decide how they’ll get there and take ownership of the result.

5. Normalise learning, not perfection

Treat mistakes as learning opportunities so people feel safe to try, adapt, and grow.

6. Provide the tools to succeed

Make sure people have the resources, information, and tools they need before expecting them to take ownership, setting them up for success.

7. Invest in Readiness and Confidence

Once the tools are in place, invest in skills, coaching, and preparation so people can take ownership with capability and confidence.

8. Give feedback early and often

Provide regular feedback to help people course-correct, build confidence, and stay aligned - without feeling abandoned.

9. Stay present - don’t disappear

Keep in mind that empowerment isn’t about disappearing; it’s about checking in, clearing obstacles, and supporting without crowding.

10. Match empowerment to the person

Agree upfront how much involvement and support each person needs, recognising that empowerment looks different for different people and situations - and revisit this as work and confidence evolve.

A Final Thought

As you work towards empowerment, consider a line from our book ‘Bad Bosses Ruin Lives’:

“Empowerment is about letting your people stand in their own ‘space’ and not crowding them with your presence.”

So that, just like those women chanting “I can do it,” your people have the space to think, decide, and act - moving forward with confidence and conviction, trusting their judgement, owning their decisions, and stepping up even when you’re not there.

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If you’d like support in developing and delivering empowerment workshops with your leaders, please contact us. We’d love to help.