Management

---

Do You Delegate?

 

Effective delegation can have short and long-term benefits for you, your team, and your business. When you delegate, you can reduce your workload and stress level by removing tasks from your "To Do" list that others are qualified to do.

 

This gives you more time to focus on things that need your particular skills and authority, including higher-level tasks such as long-term planning and development.

 

Delegation makes some managers uneasy. They fear losing control and worry they're abdicating responsibility. Sometimes they just believe that doing the job themselves will be most efficient. In the long term, however, these fears and beliefs are rarely justified.

 

Keep an eye out for these delegation "warning signs":

•  Your "IN" tray is always full. You're regularly working overtime on tasks that "only you can do".
• You're frequently interrupted by requests for guidance and clarification of tasks.
• Delegated tasks are incomplete and deadlines are being missed.
• Team members feel they're being "dumped on" and lack authority to complete tasks.
• You second-guess decisions made by team members and personally redo unsatisfactory work.
• Direct reports feel inadequately prepared to carry out assigned tasks.
• You frequently intervene in tasks or projects assigned to one of your team.Your team members are not taking responsibility for the tasks or projects you delegate.