Agile leaders don’t empower people, they create spaces where people thrive and deliver value faster. It’s up to individuals to feel empowered, not for leaders to empower the individual. How can we create this environment and break old habits that get in the way? Agile leaders can give control and increase people’s intrinsic motivation by taking advantage of how we are wired – and by increasing technical competence and organizational clarity. Jenni will share the neuroscience of empowerment; as well as how we can re-wire our brains to create new habits that make it possible for us to grow and succeed.

1. EMPOWERING PEOPLE IS IMPOSSIBLE
The neuroscience of intrinsic motivation
Jenni Jepsen
@jenniindk
jenni@goagile.dk

2. 2. a management practice of sharing information,
rewards, and power with employees so that they can take
initiative and make decisions to solve problems and
improve service and performance
1. the giving or delegation of power or authority;
authorization
empowerment
/ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/ (noun)

3. Empowered peopleEmpower people
vs.

9. • Decision-making
• Emotion control
• Higher-level thought
• Mental flexibility
• Goal-oriented behavior
Prefrontal
Cortex (PFC)
THINKING REGION OF THE BRAIN

10. Limbic System
• Long-term memory
• Old habits
• Reward, pleasure
• Fear
• Prejudice
FEELING REGION OF THE BRAIN

11. ATTITUDE:
Away from
danger
ATTITUDE:
Toward
reward

12. WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF GIVING CONTROL?
Common obstacles we face on the journey

13. Busy-ness

14. Contradictory messages
in the environment

15. Policies & procedures we ”have to” follow

16. Stress

17. Old habits

18. It’s up to you to create an environment
where people feel empowered.

20. What would be the physical evidence
that people in your
organization feel empowered?

21. GET IN TOUCH
Jenni Jepsen
@jenniindk
jenni@goagile.dk