PPAI Magazine March 2024

you are willing to relinquish. The more you relinquish, the more empowered your team will feel, but the more at-risk you will feel. The more trust you have in the person, though, the more you are likely to relinquish control. Dale Denham and I had, and have, immense trust in our team. This trust is what allowed us to empower these individuals, to give them the room to excel and to provide the industry with “The Greatest Show.” As I go through the process of reflection, I want to share a few key items that stand out to me about empowering employees: • Trust is essential to the foundation of empowerment. In fact, I would say that empowerment without trust is not true empowerment, and the positive results that come from empowerment will not be the same without it. • Providing support and resources is important in helping an empowered employee build confidence and in ensuring that they are equipped to make effective decisions. • Accountability is key in building on empowerment. While it is important to trust your team to make the right decisions, it is equally important to hold them accountable for the outcomes. • Empowered employees feel more comfortable in expressing their ideas and taking initiative, resulting in increased innovation and creativity. • There is a transformative effect that occurs when people see their colleagues empowered, and it fosters a positive culture in which people feel valued and motivated to excel. As I continue to grow, not just as a leader but as a human, I’m reminded that we don’t just lead at work – we also have the opportunity to impact our peers in the industry and people in our personal lives. This also means that we have the opportunity to find ways to empower people outside of work. After all, it’s about giving others the opportunity to grow, to contribute and to thrive. Tucker is PPAI’s vice president of revenue and expositions. Empowered employees feel more comfortable in expressing their ideas and taking initiative, resulting in increased innovation and creativity. Below EQP 10’ x 10’ Steel Tent Sale PPAI/582106 SAGE/50398 UV & Fire Rated 600 Denier Polyester FREE Wheeled Carry Bag FREE PMS Matches Full Color Imprint FREE SETUP TCT02100 - Black Steel TCT02101 - White Steel $606 (C) No minimum Valid thru 4/30/24 PPAI • MARCH 2024 • 33 Your Business | Voices

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