Which statement best describes empowerment?

• A. Empowerment means only supervisors can make decisions.
• B. Empowerment grants authority to resolve issues for all team members.
• C. Empowerment eliminates the need for policies.
• D. Empowerment is about personal gain.

Answer: (B)

Empowerment means giving team members the authority and responsibility to act on issues within their role. The statement that best describes this is that empowerment grants authority to resolve issues for all team members, because it expands decision-making beyond just supervisors and lets people at different levels take ownership, respond quickly, and improve outcomes. It relies on clear boundaries, access to information, and support from leadership, with accountability in place. Policies and guidelines still shape decisions, so empowerment doesn’t eliminate them. It’s about enabling others to contribute effectively, not about personal gain.