Brains, Heart and Courage : Keys to Empowerment and Self‐directed Leadership

Uses The Wizard of Oz as a metaphor for a workforce comprising of Scarecrows, Tinmen and Cowardly Lions. Specifically addresses the topics of disempowered workers, barriers to empowering employees, steps to empowerment, and benefits to organizations of having self‐directed and empowered employees. The three qualities to empowerment are brains, a heart and courage; without these the workforce is composed of people who are passive and unmotivated. Employees who are empowered are less risk‐aversive, more creative, and more willing to suggest bolder solutions.