Having the capability and power to succeed by overcoming problems and challenges is what it takes to be empowered. Gaining knowledge of yourself by taking charge of your life empowers an individual. As pointed out in the text, the empowerment of man comes when there is assistance in decision making, which makes it almost effortless (Rubin & Rubin, 2008). Therefore, the influence that empowerment has over a person’s life can make or break their behaviors. It’s the attitude that results in feeling empowered or not. Often times our trust in our ability is a matter of perception, and not necessarily the reality. When we are courageous enough to believe in the power of ourselves, and our voices, then we have taken charge of decision making for ourselves, or perhaps an organization(s) we may be affiliated with. The development and empowering process is affirmative, and has positive effects on individuals, as well as, society as a whole. To be empowered is to be stimulated and inspired to reach a specified goal; to broaden our horizons, and face adversities and challenges. As one is empowered, others should be too. Empowerment should be shared and spread to others as to help the continuum of an empowered society of people.

The evidence of disempowerment may be situations of failed relationships, poor work performance, decreased or stagnant income. When we lack empowerment, it can cause doubt and fear of progression and benefits in our lives. People can be disempowered by others inadvertently. Discrimination in and of itself is a form of disempowerment. There are various common groups of people in today’s society that feel disempowered because of the color of their skin, sexual preference or even disability. Author, C. Roy Hunter, states that “empowerment is not the process of the conscious mind. Empowerment is an experience that results from the unconscious mind successfully striving for goals and then experiencing at the conscious level a feeling of control” (C.R. Hunter, 1998, pg. 11). The feeling of disempowerment can be a subconscious act, which causes a lack in the ability to face necessary challenges.

The key to personal empowerment comes from a person aiming to take control of their life. How is this done? Listening and filtering feedback for our gain; making positive choices; setting goals; self-awareness; having values and skill; knowing our strengths and weaknesses; as well as, limitations. Personal empowerment leads to collective empowerment. When looking at an organization or company, per se, the success of many organizations is built on empowered individuals. Empowered employees of a company or any place of business sells their company, and is confident in their support of the mission and vision of that organization. When there is a group of people working together for the same purpose, striving towards the same organizational goal, it spreads to others within the company, and this leads to the empowerment of everyone collectively. Working as an empowered force, produces achievement towards targeted goals and dreams.
To create leaders within an organization, people must be empowered. To lead is to be empowered, thus motivating an individual enough to be well informed and experienced to make things possible for themselves and others, in the interest of the company that is supported.

C. Roy Hunter, M.S.,1998. Master the Power of Self Hypnosis. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. 387 Park Avenue, South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Rubin, H. & Rubin, I. (2008). Community organizing and development (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Textbook ISBN: 9780205408139.