empowerment

"take ownership of the school". is this not what we hear so often in the school from the principals?
this is my take on it:
i can take ownership of the place and all the challenges that it offers. but only if i feel empowered as a human being, as a teacher. do i feel that...? that is the question!
i can feel empowered only if i am allowed to take creative challenges.
if i work in a place with a Euripides sword hanging on my head - 'what will happen if i do this' - ;if i am bashed for making a mistake, can i ever feel empowered?
and if i can't, can i ever take ownership?