Can you create value with autonomy?
Stage 3: Contributor Safety
Contributor safety satisfies the basic human need to contribute and make a difference. The more we contribute, the more confidence and competence we develop. When we create contributor safety for others, we empower them with autonomy, guidance, and encouragement in exchange for effort and results.
Does my team have contributor safety?
When you have it...
Your team uses their skills and abilities to participate in the value-creation process.
When you don't...
Micromanaging dissects autonomy into a series of tasks to be completed.
No one likes a micromanager.
Leaders may hold back from giving full responsibility without realizing that limiting autonomy takes a lot of the fun and fulfillment out of work. They may not want to introduce the variance and volatility of someone else having more influence over those outcomes.
While they may have their team’s best interest at heart, micromanagers suffocate the potential of their motivated, talented team members when they withhold autonomy.
Accountability has three levels.
In any team, individuals work under three different levels of accountability–task, process, and outcome. Of course, the levels aren’t usually that discrete and usually happen in a spectrum. But one thing is for sure: If your teams want autonomy, they have to learn to love accountability.
Keep Exploring The 4 Stages:
Explore content and resources related to each of The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety™
