32 - Everyone Is Entitled to Dignified Work
- Jennifer Diamond
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4
The Role of Leadership in Ensuring Workplace Dignity, Autonomy, and Engagement
Dignity at Work: More Than a Nice-to-Have
Work is more than just a paycheck. It’s where we spend the majority of our waking hours. It’s where we contribute, create, and collaborate. And yet, far too many workplaces operate as if dignity is optional—something that’s secondary to productivity, profitability, or efficiency.
But dignity at work isn’t just a moral ideal—it’s a leadership imperative. Organizations that prioritize dignity see higher engagement, stronger retention, and better results. Why? Because when people feel valued, they invest more of themselves in their work.
So, what does dignified work look like? And how do leaders create it?
Let’s break it down.
The Three Pillars of Workplace Dignity: Autonomy, Advocacy, and Agency
Dignity at work doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through intentional leadership decisions, structured in how we design roles, teams, and cultures. Three key pillars make it possible:
Autonomy – The ability to shape one’s work and make meaningful choices.
Advocacy – A culture where employees feel supported and heard.
Agency – The power to influence decisions and take ownership of outcomes.
Each of these elements plays a crucial role in ensuring people experience their work as meaningful and fulfilling rather than transactional and exhausting.
Let’s explore each pillar in more depth.
Step 1: Fostering Autonomy – Trusting People to Do Their Best Work
Autonomy is about control—the ability of employees to have a say in how they do their work, not just what they do.
A lack of autonomy creates frustration, stagnation, and disengagement. It turns work into a set of tasks instead of a source of purpose. When employees feel micromanaged, they disengage. But when they are given trust and flexibility, they thrive.
How Leaders Can Increase Workplace Autonomy:
Define the outcomes, not every step of the process. Give employees the “what” and “why,” but let them determine the “how.”
Encourage experimentation and iteration. Allow room for employees to find their own solutions instead of strictly adhering to one set path.
Reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Long approval chains and rigid structures erode autonomy. Remove what isn’t necessary.
Build accountability, not surveillance. Use clear expectations and regular check-ins, but avoid over-monitoring.
Leadership Insight: If employees need permission for every decision, they don’t have true autonomy. How much trust do you give your team?
Step 2: Creating Advocacy – Making Sure People Feel Seen and Heard
Advocacy in leadership means actively standing up for your employees’ success. It’s about ensuring they feel heard, valued, and supported, especially when challenges arise.
When employees feel unsupported or invisible, they disengage. When they know their leaders advocate for them—ensuring they have resources, fair treatment, and opportunities—they invest more in their work.
How Leaders Can Advocate for Their People:
Be a vocal champion for employee well-being. Advocate for fair workloads, mental health support, and work-life balance.
Regularly check in with individuals—not just for productivity, but for well-being. Ask employees, “What do you need to be successful?”
Fight for growth opportunities. Advocate for promotions, skill development, and mentorship programs that help employees advance.
Listen deeply and act on feedback. Make it clear that employees’ concerns are not just heard, but addressed.
Leadership Insight: Being a leader isn’t just about giving direction —it’s about making sure your team has what they need to succeed.
Step 3: Cultivating Agency – Empowering People to Drive Change
Agency is the ability to take action and influence one’s environment. It’s about ensuring that employees don’t just feel like passive participants in the workplace, but active drivers of outcomes.
When people lack agency, they check out. When they have it, they innovate, take initiative, and contribute at a higher level.
How Leaders Can Strengthen Employee Agency:
Give employees ownership over their projects. The more control they have over their work, the more invested they’ll be in the results.
Encourage decision-making at all levels. Ensure employees don’t feel like they have to escalate every decision to leadership.
Recognize and reward proactive behavior. When someone takes initiative, celebrate it.
Create a culture of learning from failure. If people fear taking risks, they won’t take action. Normalize learning from setbacks instead of punishing mistakes.
Leadership Insight: If employees hesitate to make decisions without asking permission, their sense of agency is too low.
The Cost of Ignoring Dignity at Work
When organizations fail to prioritize dignity, they create workplaces where employees:
Feel unheard, leading to disengagement and resentment.
Operate under constant stress, driving burnout and turnover.
Avoid taking initiative, waiting to be told what to do.
And the results?
Lower productivity.
Higher attrition.
A culture of compliance instead of creativity.
Now, compare that to workplaces where dignity is embedded in leadership decisions. Employees:
Feel ownership over their work.
Are motivated to contribute at a high level.
Have strong trust in leadership and colleagues.
When dignity is present, retention improves, innovation thrives, and people genuinely enjoy coming to work.
Final Thought: Leadership as a Steward of Workplace Dignity
Leadership isn’t just about driving results—it’s about creating environments where people can do their best work without sacrificing their dignity.
Before your next leadership decision, ask yourself:
Am I providing enough autonomy for my team to excel?
Do my employees feel truly supported and heard?
Am I empowering my team to take ownership and drive change?
Because at the end of the day, dignified work isn’t just a privilege—it’s a right. And great leaders ensure it’s a reality.
This post is part of Maypop Grove’s Leadership Evolution Series—a collection of in-depth reflections on leadership, influence, and strategy. Designed for leaders navigating complexity, this series explores how to drive change, build resilient teams, and lead with confidence.
©2025 Maypop Grove, LLC. All rights reserved.
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