The Working Genius of Enablement: When Helping Others Lights You Up

How can I help?

This week we are moving onto the "E" in the Working Genius model that spells out WIDGET. The E stands for Enablement.

And I know, that word can carry some different connotations, but here’s what I'm talking about in this context:

A person with the Working Genius of Enablement jumps in to help and support after the Galvanizer has gotten everyone on board. They are the people who naturally derive energy and joy from getting to work and moving things forward. They're often the ones working behind the scenes, offering encouragement, connecting resources, and removing obstacles so that someone else's idea can come to life.

This might sound like:

"How can I support you?"

"What can I do to help?"

"I can take care of that for you."

"Want me to handle that?"

Is there someone in your life, personal or professional, who is always willing to lend a hand, take care of certain things, and offer their assistance?

Some natural positions for the Enabler might be:

• Executive Assistant

• Customer Service

• Human Resources

• Teachers and Coaches

• Nurses and Physical Therapists

• Event Planners and Nonprofit Program Managers

Outside of work, Enablers might look like:

• The neighbor who always lends a hand

• The parent who organizes classroom parties

• The volunteer who is behind every community fundraiser

• The sibling everyone calls first for help

People with the Working Genius of Enablement are often the first to notice when someone else is overwhelmed or struggling.

And, of course, this got me thinking about boundaries.

In the past, when I saw someone who was always helping others, I thought, "Hmmmm, I wonder if they're over-giving."

This observation contains no judgment whatsoever. I mean, I AM that person.

But as I began to understand the Working Genius model, and Enablement specifically, I realized that many of those avid helpers ARE getting energized by helping. They relish it! It brings them joy.

At least up to a point.

What happens when Enablement turns into, well... enablement?

What happens when helping others, and the rewarding nature of it, becomes such a habit that we don't realize when we've crossed over to the dark side?

This sneaky, slippery slope might look like:

• Doing things that people can do themselves

• Taking on responsibility for other adults

• Feeling guilty when you say no

• Helping because you feel like you need to instead of because you genuinely want to

THIS can slide right into resentment if you're not paying attention.

So how do we avoid that? I have a few questions that help me:

1. "Am I helping or rescuing?" (Yep, that one's a bit of a punch.)

2. "Was I asked for help?" (Also kind of burns, right?)

3. "Does this person actually need my help?" (Ouch.)

4. "What would happen if I didn't step in?" (Be honest.)

5. "Am I supporting their growth or preventing it?" (Hello, adult children!)

Wow. The Enabler in me is definitely going to revisit those. 😬

For me, and for those of you like me, let's also throw in some compassion, because that’s one of my favorite things.

We help because we love to. We're exceptionally good at it.

(Plus, we usually have pretty good attitudes about it all.)

We care. It makes us feel good. It brings us joy. Others appreciate it.

(My gosh, where would we all be without that friend who volunteered to help us move?) 😳

So why don't you and I make a pact right now?

We'll stay in our lanes.

We'll assist, but not overdo it.

We'll ask first.

We'll listen when people say they've got it under control.

And sometimes, gasp, we'll even wait to be asked.

Because Enablement is a gift. Truly.

Over-responsibility is not. That's a boundary issue.

And now that we're more aware? We have more choice.

Unsure if Enablement is you? You can take the assessment here.