There are some things I cannot or don’t want to do to myself. 
          Performing brain surgery, filling out my corporate IRS return, overhauling my car engine or growing a healthy crop of wavy, dark hair on my bald pate are some items at the top of my list.
          I can hear a lot of you right now, “You don’t have a prayer of empowering yourself at work.”  “To empower” is a verb and the subject of that action word, we assume, has to be “my boss.”
          I disagree. 
          You are right, though, empowerment, is a business process, should start with your boss.  The prefix, “em,” in the English language means to “place upon.”  Therefore, when someone is “empowered,” he/she has been the recipient of someone else’s power. 
          I know, ideally, how the  process should work, but I just think sitting at your workstation all day waiting for the prince to show up, pull the empowerment lever, and dump a serious load of authority and/or responsibility on your lips is just too…fairytalish.  
          So, stop the whining about your empower-less life at work and try the following.
          First, decide what you would really like to be doing at work?  (If you decide “nothing,” stop reading this column and start scanning the “Help Wanted” ads.)
          Are there projects you would like to lead?  Do you have a blockbuster idea to improve a process that will make it easier on everyone and increase productivity?  Can you write or edit a newsletter or a journal?  Do you have an hour to offer a training course your organization desperately needs?
          Second, research how much money you will save your workplace if you empower yourself. 
Let’s be honest, unless the “value” you are proposing adds to your organization’s bottom line, your empowerment will not find an audience.
Third, prepare yourself for a visit to your boss’ office.
Once you have nailed the bucks you are going to save or make your organization, write a one-page “Value Proposition.”  This document should be a billboard of what a beautiful mind you bring to work every day.
          In this document you will list the reasons why your empowered contribution is needed, what it will add to the workplace, how you will get this done…along with your other work, what it will cost and what will be the financial return. 
          Make an appointment.  Arrive ten minutes early.  Verbally present (no longer than 15 minutes) your empowered proposition   Ask for an immediate response and, if none, ask when you can get some feedback.
          Do not take silence for an answer.  If you think stonewalling is going on respond with, “Since I have not heard a response to my proposal, my assumption is I have a green light from you to proceed.  Am I correct?”  That statement will get you a quick response.
          If the answer is “no,” what have you lost?  
          Nothing.  The future of the cosmos and your life does not depend on a “yes.” 
          What you have gained is the sheer delight of acting, not reacting to your workplace.  If you believe you have surrendered your mind and voice to any bureaucracy, whining will be your only choice.