Have trouble delegating? Or maybe people see you as someone who delegates… ”too much”?
It’s a fine line, and almost all managers struggle with the ins and outs of delegating at some point or another.
Here are 7 steps to more effective delegation.
1. Understand the Value of Delegating
Delegating well benefits every person in the company, not just the manager, because:
- It frees up time for managers to focus on more important tasks
- Allows the team to practice and learn new skills
- Encourages the team to stay engaged
- Allows the team to feel valued and like they are making a contribution
- Creates overall efficiency
Managers often want to “do it all” because they fear that if they let go of control, the work won’t get done right.
But if you’re already running around like a chicken with its head cut off, you may not leave yourself the time and space to delegate effectively.
The people who find themselves most overworked are likely the same ones who need to redefine and improve their delegating!
2. Managers Should Clearly Recognize Their Role
Your role as a manager is managing people and resources in a business.
This isn’t about giving away tasks haphazardly. To be a great leader, you must pay attention to what you are delegating, who you are delegating it to, and why.
Managers need also to understand that their role is not to “do it all,” but rather allow others to take on the lower-level tasks so that they can focus on the most important things.
3. Identify What Tasks Are Best for Delegation
Make a careful assessment of your team members so that you clearly understand what they can do very well, what they need to practice, and what they want to learn more about.
No matter what industry you are in, I will bet we can find more tasks for your team — you may need help identifying the best ones.
If you don’t have enough qualified people on your team to take on certain tasks, this might point to a hiring or talent gap or a bigger issue within the company that needs addressing.
4. Get to Know the Team
Do you really know what your team members are capable of? They might have some hidden talents that you don’t know about.
This is why you should think of delegation as more of a conversation than a one-way “I’m telling someone what to do” and then walking away.
Keep asking questions. This will give you an opportunity to learn about your team as well.
Once you find someone with the matching skillset, clarify the tools, equipment, and deliverable expectations.
5. Match Tasks With People
Don’t assume that they don’t know how to do it just because someone doesn’t have a certain skill on their resume! Keep asking questions; you’ll likely learn about some interesting skill sets!
Evaluating workloads is a good idea to ensure you’re not delegating too much to your star performer.
Ensure the person is “up for the job,” In all senses – that they have time, skills, and willingness to do so.
6. Assign the Task with Clarity and Confidence
Always confirm that the other party understands the task before delegation, rather than just handing over a brief and assuming they can learn it independently.
In addition, make sure they know the purpose behind the task.
Have them repeat it back to you, and encourage communication and questions. Finally, confirm their commitment and accountability, whether verbal or written.
7. Review Progress and Complete Task
The job isn’t done when it’s done! Taking the time to review the person’s progress and the quality of the completed task will give them a clear picture of what to do better next time.
Consistent communication is key, as your staff needs feedback and coaching. Tasks can be evaluated on an ad-hoc basis and as part of your employee review program.
This will also help with matching your employees in the future.
Get Support
Great delegation skills allow managers to focus on crucial high-level tasks while training employees to take on increasingly more complex tasks, which will also help you identify them for promotions and train someone in the event of your absence.
Why not schedule a consultation if you want to improve your leadership skills? https://calendly.com/inscapegreg/blog-appointment
I look forward to learning more about you and your business!
Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:
The Importance of Engaging in Meaningful Conversations in the Workplace
How HR Leaders Can Help Bridge Generational Gaps in the Workplace
HR Leaders Need to Master the Simple Art of Language Packaging
This article was originally published on February 20, 2017, and has since been updated.
