Truly empowering people can be very difficult for some leaders and managers. Empowering people is leading people to a place of independence and self sufficiency. Suggesting that the people you manage and lead might surpass your abilities.
Now what happens when you associate your abilities with WHO you are, your self-worth? You may not be able to give it up. Does that make sense? If your identity is based on what you know or do, giving that away means you are potentially diminishing yourself.
The most effective leaders and managers are looking for ways to make themselves dispensable. In doing so they are effectively raising others up to greater results and performance.
Can you really let go and lead people to surpass you? When you do that you create an environment of real leverage and potential growth.