Employee EmpowermentIn the flat organization model, employee empowerment becomes a pillar. It is not because the traditional model is not in place that management does not exist. Employee empowerment is an essential tool that can be used to create a better environment while amplifying employee support. "People are the most important asset. Technologies, products and structures can be copied by competitors. No one, however, can compete with a company full of highly charged, motivated and caring people." (Kotelnikov, 2007). Employee empowerment emphasizes a few major points: personal responsibility, the injection of new ideas, and open lines of communication. “Empowerment is the oil that lubricates the learning exercise. Talented and empowered human capital is becoming the primary ingredient for organizational success.” (Kotelnikov, 2007). Placing personal responsibility on each employee also ensures that employees take ownership of their actions. Personal responsibility also breeds interpersonal discipline. While holding each employee accountable, employees will begin to monitor themselves and take into account the shortcomings of their colleagues. "People want and need to feel that they are an 'insider', that they know everything that is going on. There is nothing more demoralizing for a staff member than to stay in the ignorance of his work and what is happening in his company environment. (Kotelnikov, 2007). Not only does the above statement address personal responsibility, but it supports the ideas of better communication not only from management but also within the employees themselves. As Kotelnikov continues, he emphasizes how empowerment is the oil that lubricates the learning exercise. “Talented, empowered human capital is becoming the primary ingredient for organizational success. A key characteristic of high-performing teams, particularly in knowledge-based businesses, is that they have a significant degree of empowerment or decision-making authority.” Basically, with the introduction of empowerment and personal responsibility, successful teams and businesses are created within a flat organizational model. With empowerment and personal responsibility in action, people in the workplace will feel more comfortable speaking up and making their voices heard. At this point, new and fresh ideas will begin to flow, helping to create successful process improvements and new policies and procedures. As previously stated, people want and need to feel “insider.” Giving empowered employees the opportunity to have their thoughts and ideas considered can be very helpful. New and innovative ideas can arise simply by letting voices be heard.