Chapter 17
Perfect Phrases to Empower the Team

I say that successful managers make themselves obsolete. I also say that a really good manager is one who can go on vacation without needing to field phone calls to fight fires. That happens when staff is empowered to do their jobs autonomously. I have included acknowledgment and appreciation phrases in my empowerment section because appreciation is a huge empowerment tool. Perfect Phrases that empower help us express appreciation, motivate employees, and help our teams do their jobs independently.

Perfect Phrases to Show Appreciation

When you did (action), it made my job easier because . . .

I am thrilled that you took care of that without my having to get involved.

You handled that so well I’m feeling unnecessary—and that’s a good thing.

My formal job is to oversee you, but it seems like my real job is to congratulate you.

I would have missed that had it not been for you.

Your idea made the difference because (reason).

This (report, project, etc.) is exceptional because . . .

That was true genius.

I am impressed by (action) because . . .

I like working with you because . . .

I can tell you are skilled with (skill set) by the way . . .

I respect your mastery of detail in how you . . .

You worked hard and you did it!

I respect your deep understanding of . . .

Thank you for consistently going out of your way to . . .

Your professionalism is shown by . . .

The time and thought you put into (project, initiative, etc.) is evident by the way you . . .

You handled the details of (project) beautifully.

I know it wasn’t easy to (task) but you did it!

You are an asset to the team because . . .

You simplified this process in ways I never imagined.

Perfect Phrases to Motivate

You have the power to make this happen.

This is not something just anyone could do, but I know you can.

I can see the skills you’ll acquire from this task being valuable for you throughout your career.

The job you do on this will help us fulfill our mission and vision.

If you give it your best, I see two outcomes: growth and success.

Take this on like you can’t fail and know I’m here cheering you on.

I see what you accomplished last quarter, and I get very excited to imagine what you can do going forward.

Here is what we are facing, and it’s up to us to turn it around. I believe we can.

I am confident in our ability to overcome this issue and be stronger for having done so.

If this were easy, everyone would do it. Everyone is not doing it, and we are. I’m proud to be on a team like this.

I am committed to your success.

Let’s focus on what we want rather than what we don’t want.

I know we can create the future we want. We just need to agree what that is.

Just because it hasn’t been done does not mean we can’t do it.

We can find a better way.

I always appreciate your way of looking at things.

I’m optimistic about what we will accomplish.

This company’s future is in our hands.

Perfect Phrases to Empower Audibles and to Create Autonomy

Your input is important to me. How would you solve this?

I’d like your input before I make my decision.

I find most employees are too busy trying to figure out what I want rather than figuring out what doing a good job means. What I want is for you to figure out what doing a good job means, even if that means renegotiating your job description.

Please bring me two or three possible solutions and we will decide this together. It’s true I am the manager, but I would not want to implement a solution that doesn’t work for you.

If you were the manager, what would you suggest?

What have you tried so far?

I want you to stretch the boundaries of your job.

What have you done yourself to eliminate the obstacles?

How does it appear to you?

This is a decision you can make without consulting me.

We’ve set the plan, but use your judgment if you need to call an audible.

How would you handle this situation if I weren’t available?

If I’m not available and things change, call an audible.

Have you applied all the guidelines yourself before bringing this to me?

If you did know how to handle the situation, what would you do?

How have you handled this in the past?

I appreciate how you handled that one on your own.

In the future I would like you to make your own decisions about (area).

We have a budget of (amount) for this project. I trust you to decide how to apply it.