Good delegation provides benefits to everyone involved, individuals and organisation.
Invest the time in getting it right and you will be repaid for the effort. Although there is much more to consider, apply these quick thoughts to enhance your own comfort with Effective Delegation.
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Stop being a perfectionist
Entrusting another person with a task for which the delegator holds ultimate responsibility. This is the normal way to view delegation.
Now, let us add in one more thought. A task needs doing as well as it needs doing – not as well as you would do it!
If you have a tendency towards being a perfectionist, think about that.
Think of delegation as a cup of tea; even if it isn’t perfect, a decent cup of tea is still decent enough.
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No excuses
There are countless reasons that people use to justify why they choose not to delegate. The problem is that there are often things that you could delegate if only you took a little time to show those who you ‘can’t-trust-to-do-it-right’ the way it should be done.
What are the reasons you choose not to delegate? Consider whether your reasons are justified or are excuses.
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Be Smart
A very effective tool to assist you in your delegation of tasks is to use SMART targets.
When you set out SMART objectives, you lay out in a clear and quantifiable way what your expectations are. This then enables you to track progress based on predetermined agreements.
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List your tasks
There will always be parts of your job that will be unsuitable for delegation. There will be tasks that only you can do or should be doing, that’s fine.
A useful procedure would be to go through your role and make a list of the tasks only you can do and do them.
Next, make a list of every task that you can delegate. Coach and support those tasks as you distribute them to the appropriate colleagues.
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Always be aware
Once you have delegated a task, awareness is key. Be sure to provide the right degree of space and support to the individual who now has the task.
You must allow that person the time and opportunity to learn how to complete the task. Meanwhile, you must be aware when to step in to offer support, guidance or encouragement.
In fact, being sure to encourage, support and motivate the delegator is just as important as teaching them the task.
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Consider the benefits
If you are not convinced that you should delegate more, then think of the potential benefits. Delegation allows for a more motivated workforce.
As your colleagues develop their new skills and have more variety in their roles, motivation grows.
Delegation also allows for improved efficiencies and productivity through better time management. By releasing more working hours within management levels, delegation becomes a vital skill for business growth.
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It is a combination of skills
It’s true that delegation isn’t easy. This is because it requires thinking time and an element of planning.
Effective communication of the task, understanding the appropriate level of support and monitoring are all vital skills.
But, if you get all that right, it means that you can now expect that the task will be carried out as you would wish. This leaves you to focus on other things.
It’s a win/win situation!