A co-worker recently returned from a management seminar. She notes that empowerment is nothing more than giving employees autonomy. How should you respond?
A) "I agree."
B) "I disagree; power isn't about autonomy, it is about an individual's capacity to accomplish a task."
C) "I believe empowerment relates to both self-efficacy and task accomplishment."
D) "I believe empowerment improves team building through centralized decision making."
Answer: C
Explanation: A) Incorrect. Empowerment is not merely giving power to someone. It is fostering a positive attitude about task accomplishment and self-efficacy.
B) Incorrect. It is true that self-efficacy is part of empowerment, but autonomy is also a key feature.
C) Correct. Empowerment is focused both on results and on the means (providing freedom to employees) of accomplishing those results.
D) Incorrect. Rather than being characterized by centralized decision making, empowerment gives individuals decision-making power. Centralized decision making actually reduces empowerment levels, which employees perceive.
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