Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
EMPOWERMENT
- July22, 2024
EMPOWERMENT
When I shifted from Para Commando to regular infantry I was young with less than three years of service. Yet immediately I was put in charge of a Rifle Company deployed on active, in fact live, Line of Control where exchange of small arms fire (up to Medium Machine Gun) with Pak troops opposite was the norm almost 24 hours at one place or the other.
I was initially apprehensive but grew into the shape of a gallant Company Commander within days. Finding new ways to fool the enemy and making them suffer casualties became a game. I even won two gallantry awards in two years of tenure! I was trusted and felicitated!
In between I was brought back to the Unit HQ and functioned as Unit Quarters Master for six odd months.
During the Administrative Inspection which happened during that period, I chanced upon old policies for storage of ammunition at various forward and rear echelons. I worked out the changes required, informed my CO and did some reshuffle to forward posts from the Battalion HQ.
Later it was found out, by yours truly only, that my calculations were faulty and I had pushed more on the line of control at the cost of reserves at the rear. My CO, when I sheepishly told him of the faux Pa, – merely told me to make amends by slowly getting the extra ammunition back in batches and not to repeat such a silly thing again!
I recouped the reserves over next two weeks and not even a word was spoken about it by my CO later.
Now such a mistake by a young officer could have led to a major operational failure had war started. A stricter CO could have finished my career by giving me a lukewarm or adverse report. But then Col, later Brigadier VP Malhotra made me use this experience to learn and grow.
These experiences of being entrusted with important assignment of forward Company Commander and allowing me lot of leeway to make mistakes and learn from them greatly shaped my future persona.
If this is not empowerment then what is?
In a thriving workplace, team members aren’t just going through the motions; they’re actively engaged, motivated, and overflowing with ideas. This is the magic of empowerment. Empowerment isn’t about shirking responsibility or tossing your team into the deep end without support. It’s about nurturing a culture of ownership, where team members feel trusted, valued, and empowered to take initiative and contribute their best. You might be tempted to ask, “Why empower them? Can’t I just tell them what to do?” While you could, micromanaging and dictating every step stifles creativity, dampens motivation, and limits your team’s potential.
So, how do you cultivate this empowering environment? Let’s explore some strategies:
Effective delegation is key to empowerment. It’s not about unloading unwanted tasks on your team; it’s about assigning projects that challenge and stretch them, allowing them to develop new skills. Delegate tasks aligned with their strengths and interests, while providing the resources and support they need to succeed. This trust and confidence lay the groundwork for a sense of ownership.
Empowerment thrives on trust and confidence. Let your team know you believe in their abilities. Offer opportunities to showcase skills and celebrate accomplishments. Provide constructive criticism as a chance for growth, fostering a safe space for learning and improvement. This encourages calculated risks and pushes them beyond their comfort zones.
Empowerment requires resources and support. Your team needs the tools to do their job effectively. Provide training, access to information, and any additional support required. Think of yourself as a coach, guiding and providing the resources needed to succeed. By removing obstacles, you enable them to focus on goals.
People are more engaged when they understand the “why” behind their work. Take time to explain how their contributions fit into the bigger picture. Help them connect daily activities to the organization’s goals and vision. This sense of purpose fosters ownership and motivates them to excel.
When team members take initiative, solve problems creatively, or go above and beyond, acknowledge their efforts. Public recognition, a sincere “thank you,” or small rewards reinforce positive behaviors. Mistakes happen; the key is not to punish failure but to view it as a learning opportunity. Foster an environment of open discussion to learn from mistakes, empowering your team to innovate without fear.
Empowerment isn’t just a feel-good strategy; it has tangible benefits. Empowered teams are more engaged, motivated, and productive. They take ownership of their work, solve problems creatively, and go the extra mile to achieve goals. Empowerment fosters shared responsibility, leading to increased collaboration and better decision-making. Ultimately, it creates a high-performing team environment where everyone feels valued and contributes their best.
Major General Balraj Mehta
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta