Employee empowerment is a greatly misunderstood concept.

Empowerment: allowing people at all levels to broaden their scope of decision making to more fully utilize their talents, skills, and inherent creativity.

In a nutshell, empowering workers widens the boundary of individual and team contribution. 

Recommended Process:
Supervisory Skills
 

Resources for Empowerment
  Articles
    Supervisors in Transition
    When You're In Charge: Tips for Leading Teams

  Videos
    A Team Leader's Day
    Topeka Pride

 Profiles and Assessments
    Empowerment Profile

 Books
    Leading Self-Directed Work Teams
    Team Discussion Pamphlets - Power Up for Team Results