Delegation

At first sight, delegation can feel like more hassle than it's worth, however by delegating effectively, you can hugely expand the amount of work that you can deliver.

When you arrange the workload so that you are working on the tasks that have the highest priority for you, and other people are working on meaningful and challenging assignments, you have a recipe for success. 

To delegate effectively, choose the right tasks to delegate, identify the right people to delegate to, and delegate in the right way.

How to Delegate

Use the following steps and principles to delegate successfully:

  1. Give an overview of what’s required. If you can also include the bigger picture or ‘why’ this task is important, that helps drive employee engagement also.
  2. Clearly articulate that you want them to deliver the desired outcome and describe what the desired outcome is.
  3. Begin with the end in mind and specify the results you would like, and timing for completing it.
  4. Ask them to take notes so they record what’s required should they need to refer back to it.
  5. Detail key elements and any critical things that need to be covered – don’t go overboard with detail or tell them step-by-step how to do it, just highlight critical elements.
  6. Outline how you want them to make any decisions along the way – do you want them to check with you? Use their best judgement? Be clear on what you expect.
  7. Match the amount of responsibility with the amount of authority. Understand that you can delegate some responsibility, however you can't delegate away ultimate accountability.
  8. Provide adequate support, and be available to answer questions.
  9. Focus on results. Concern yourself with what is accomplished, rather than detailing how the work should be done: Your way is not necessarily the only or even the best way! Allow the person to control his or her own methods and processes. This facilitates success and trust.
  10. At the end of the conversation – ask them to read back to you (if written) or say in their words, what has been agreed. Ask “Just so we’re on the same page, can you please relay back to me know you’re understanding of what we’ve agreed”? This will ensure you both have the same understanding of what’s been delegated, how to make decisions along the way and what the critical elements are.