The "Who" "When" And "How" Of Delegation

Transcript

[Presenter] Are you stressed out? Working too hard? Got too many things to do? Maybe it's time to delegate.

Delegation means giving a piece of work that you'd normally do yourself to a team member.

It can be difficult to delegate for lots of reasons: we don't always want to give up control over tasks; sometimes we think it's just easier, faster, or better if we do things ourselves; other times, we're just trying to be nice, by saving others from the hassle; we might feel guilty giving others more work when we believe that we should it...

But, when we don't share the workload, we can quickly become swamped. We may have more work than we have time to do it. That makes it difficult to focus on our priorities and meet deadlines.

Failing to delegate can also create problems within the team. It can prevent others from learning and moving ahead in their careers. They might feel like we don't trust them, and they're less empowered than they would be if we handed over control.

So, how do you become a master delegator instead of a disaster delegator?

1. The When (and When Not)

First, know when (and when not) to delegate.

Delegation is great when someone has the skills and motivation to take on a task, or when they'll gain valuable experience by doing it. And sometimes it's necessary when you have more work than you're able to do alone.

But, you need to delegate responsibly.

Don't hand off a task if it's uniquely your responsibility, or when you simply lack personal interest in it. And especially avoid delegating tasks your team members lack the skills, knowledge, or resources to carry out.

2. The Who

Next, decide who to delegate to.

It's best to delegate to someone closest to the work since they'll already have some knowledge of what's needed. Consider which team members already have the skills and experience to do the task, or, if you have the time and resources, who could benefit from being trained up.

Also, look at work preferences. Does the task need an independent worker? Does it fit with the particular goals and interests of anyone on your team?

Most importantly, who has time to do it? Will anyone need to reshuffle their workload to manage this task?

3. The How

Finally, understand how to delegate.

Be clear about the task and desired results. Agree on a schedule, including check-in times. Specify if the person needs to wait to be told what to do, or can take the initiative and report back.

Offer support throughout; communicate and be available to answer questions. Give people the tools they need and offer constructive feedback regularly.

Also, highlight the benefits that will come from doing the task, like skills development, opportunities for career progression, financial rewards, and, of course, praise and thanks.

Let's recap.

Delegation is an essential management and leadership skill. Not only can it help you manage a heavy workload, it's also a great way of helping your team members to learn and develop new skills, explore new opportunities, and progress their careers.

To delegate successfully, be thoughtful about when you delegate, as well as who to, and how. And be sure to provide guidance, feedback, and praise throughout.

Do all this and you'll be well on your way to becoming a master delegator.