Empowerment at Chipotle

Empowerment at Chipotle

Empowerment is defined by the text as a ‘psychological concept in which people experience more self-determination, meaning, competence, and impact regarding their role in the organization’ (McShane & VonGlinow, 2010, pg. 182). While empowerment is technically ‘a state of mind’, employers are constantly seeking ways to engage and improve employee performance through employee empowerment initiatives. While Chipotle may be better known for their sustainability practices the company sets it self apart with its unique employee empowerment practices. Given that Chipotle is a fast food chain restaurant, their focus on employee empowerment is quite rare in an industry that traditionally focuses on low wage, short-term, temporary labor. Chipotle does this by hiring ‘better’ people, encouraging internal promotion of employees, and engaging in unique empowerment initiatives.

Four dimensions represent empowerment as a psychological concept: Self-Determination, Meaning, Competence, and Impact (McShane & VonGlinow, 2010, pg. 182). Companies can encourage development of employee empowerment by implementing tactics to ensure growth in these dimensions. At Chipotle this begins during hiring by adhering to ’13 Characteristics’ that are desired in Chipotle employees. Hiring managers use this characteristics list to find employees more motivated towards empowerment, success and hospitality behaviors. The characteristics are as follows: Ambitious, Happy, Smart, Polite, Respectful, Honest, Conscientious, Presentable, Curious, Motivated, High-Energy, Hospitable, and Infectious Enthusiasm (Chipotle, 2012). By hiring individuals with high levels of these characteristics, Chipotle improves employee empowerment through hiring the right individuals. Given that employee empowerment is based on individual’s psychological experience, hiring individuals prone to ambition and motivation ensures that they will likely pursue higher goals at work and take...