What a Burden!

I could not help to include the extract from this book on "empowerment":

"All too often, managers put people in charge of a project but fail to give them the authority to get the job done. For example, a senior executive may ask a manager to work with the marketing department to develop a new launch campaign. However, the executive fails to inform the people in marketing of this and gives the manager no resources or budget to carry out the assignment. The manager is responsible for the project, but does not have the tools needed to succeed. This is akin to hiring a general contractor to build a home, but not giving him the authority to hire carpenters, masonry workers, electricians, and plumbers to assist him. Any assignment where responsibility is dispensed without authority will quickly run into roadblocks. The process will alienate those involved because they will be responsible for the lack of results and will be expecting discipline rather than kudos. Is it any wonder, then, that the concept of empowerment has become so tarnished?"

Does it sound familiar to you? You are given tons and tons of responsibilities but not any authority to execute what you are asked to do? There is no support, no resources, no power and yet you were expected to deliver.