15 Ways To Empower Someone

Part of caring for someone else, whether it’s your best friend, relative, coaching client, or whomever, is about empowering them to be the best person they can be. I’ve seen the best results in personal growth and transformation when I’ve simply given the tools and encouragement to someone to grow and let them do the work themselves. Ultimately, you’re only going to make a change if you’re willing to do the work yourself, and we can only hold someone’s hand so tightly. But if you’re interested in empowering someone, which in my opinion is something we should aim to do as often as possible for the people we care about in our lives, then here are 15 ideas for ways to empower someone.

15 Ways To Empower Someone

Give Your Time And Attention

Don’t listen just so you’re waiting for your turn to talk, and truly demonstrate that you’re listening actively.
Don’t expect anything in return for the gift of your time, energy, and attention (because a gift is given selflessly).
Continue to be generous with your resources; don’t be stingy with your knowledge, resources, attention, etc. When someone feels like you’re generous with them, they’re more likely to trust you.

Demonstrate Your Gratitude

Say “thank you” to them for how they affect you in your life and just that you’re grateful for them being in your life.
Be affirming about their abilities and strengths, and specifically list them out so they know exactly what you’re talking about, rather than just saying, “You’re so talented”.
Nurture the talents you see in them, and help them find resources that will help them flourish in excelling at their talent and potentially sharing it with others.
Tell them you’re proud of them (again, be specific).

Teach, Guide, And Mentor

Let them know you genuinely value their opinion.
Keep asking questions about what their vision is for their future.
Allow yourself to also be vulnerable during the process of guidance, including sharing the spotlight and letting them be the center of attention.
Encourage resilience in them and remind them that they have the potential to persist.
Demonstrate the behaviors you think would be helpful for them to adopt and embrace for their own journey; AKA lead by example. (Example: Be trustworthy and honest.)
Take a class with them, to help them learn even more tools.
Don’t just always give your own solution to a problem they’re having; encourage them try to figure out how to arrive a solution in their own way.
Make sure they still feel autonomous and in control of their life, happiness, destiny, etc.