Delegation and Empowerment in the Era of Management 3.0: The Evolution of the Meaning of 'To Manage'

Delegation and Empowerment in the Era of Management 3.0: The Evolution of the Meaning of 'To Manage'

Delegation and Empowerment in the Era of Management 3.0: The Evolution of the Meaning of 'To Manage'

In times of digital transformation and cultural revolutions in the corporate environment, one word remains at the center of the discussion: management. But have you ever wondered where the word "to manage" comes from and why it so strongly implies control? Today, more than ever, rethinking the role of leadership is essential—and this is where the concept of Management 3.0 comes in, offering a new perspective on management based on autonomy, trust, and purpose.

The Origin of the Word "To Manage"
The word "manage" has its roots in the Latin manus, meaning "hand". It evolved in Italian as maneggiare, originally used to describe the act of taming horses—that is, to control and guide. Over time, “to manage” came to mean manipulating, controlling, leading, or directing. In the corporate context, this concept was adopted by traditional management models focused on hierarchy, command, and control.

A Cultural Shift: From Control to Empowerment
If managing once meant dominating, leadership today is increasingly about inspiring, facilitating, and co-creating. Modern leadership recognizes that excessive control stifles creativity, and that empowering employees is essential for innovation and sustainable performance. This marks a profound paradigm shift: fewer bosses, more facilitators.

What is Management 3.0?
Created by Jurgen Appelo, Management 3.0 is a leadership approach that sees management as everyone's responsibility. Inspired by Agile methodologies and horizontal structures, it proposes a model in which managers stop acting as controllers and instead become designers of systems that foster autonomy and collaboration.

Delegation and Empowerment: Pillars of Management 3.0
In Management 3.0, delegation does not mean abandoning responsibility, but consciously sharing decision-making power. One of the most well-known tools is Delegation Poker, which helps teams align expectations on the level of autonomy in different situations. Empowerment, on the other hand, is the key to engaging team members, fostering a sense of purpose, belonging, and accountability.

Benefits for the Company
Adopting the principles of Management 3.0 can lead to:

  • Increased productivity through more autonomous teams

  • Greater innovation thanks to creative freedom

  • Reduced turnover due to higher engagement

  • Improved organisational culture based on trust and transparency

The origin of the word "manage" reminds us of a time when control was the main focus. But in the 21st century, it's time to rewrite that meaning. Delegating is not a weakness. Empowering is not about losing control. Management 3.0 is about building environments where everyone has a voice, acts responsibly, and collaborates with purpose.

Supplementary reading

By: Mayume Wegner 
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