Benefits of DelegationYOU can't do everything yourself. Delegation is beneficial for a variety of reasons including:
1. frees up time 2. better time management 3. sets priorities better 4. motivates team members 5. develops people 6. gets more done in less time |
How to DelegateCommunicate: Set time frames and goals. One of the biggest problems with delegation is incomplete details (we call this a seagull method of communication). The leader comes in, makes a lot of noise and then leaves, but they never really give the necessary information to the person they delegated the task to. Communicate the WHAT and the WHY leave the HOW up to them!!
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What to DelegateDelegate as much as you can along with the authority to do it. Accountability still belongs to YOU!
Delegate more whole tasks than pieces and parts. People are more motivated by complete tasks. One simple way to delegate is to ask your people "What do I do that you could help me with? What do I do that you could do with a little help from me? What do I do that you could do by yourself?" Delegate to those people who can do it and to those who can ALMOST do it. The biggest reason why managers don't delegate is because they believe that their people aren't good enough. Remember that the role of coach/ teacher is to teach someone how to think. Constantly giving solutions will make them dependent. |
Taking OverAlso known as "micromanaging" If you are constantly looking over shoulders, you're not delegating. A properly communicated and delegated task doesn't need to be monitored. If you must monitor, set time-definite check points by the calendar and set them up in advance. Be approachable for help but not intrusive. Let them figure out the HOW! Let the people finish their work and only intervene when agreed upon criteria are not being followed. |
AnalyzeIf you aren't delegating, analyze why you are holding onto too much. Is it a fear of making someone better than you? A fear of giving people too much? Remember that people are motivated to want to grow and develop. Delegation is a step toward making someone better. Poor delegation also reflects on you! |