Do you ever get to the end of a work day and wonder where time went?  You barely made a dent in your to-do list, let alone completed it. Delegation is a great way to free up time. Pass projects to existing team members, new recruits, or outside contractors. But is it that simple?

What is the art of delegation? 

We say ‘art’ because delegation is not an exact science; different approaches are needed depending on who’s tackling your task. Effective delegation requires effort and time. The initial time invested in handing over the task is greater than if you simply did the job yourself.

This ‘It’s faster to do it myself’ mindset is a productivity trap. It often prevents the development of new and better methods. If you teach someone your way, they can master it and add their value... they’re also likely to appreciate the opportunity for personal development and be more engaged in their role.

Delegation must not be confused with abdication.

You are still ultimately responsible for the task.  But responsibility and doing are not the same.  Here are some differences between delegation and abdication:

What abdication looks like:

• Issue a task to anyone and forget about it.
  - This causes distrust and a lack of respect.
• Give unclear (or little) information.
  - Giving ‘free rein’ typically causes poor ongoing communication and lots of assumptions.
• Assume the team member immediately understood the task and expectations.
  - This causes procrastination, re-work and low productivity.
• Don’t set a timeframe.
  - This causes delays and budget blowouts.
• Don’t review outcomes.
  - This causes resentment and an increased likelihood of future mistakes and issues.

What delegation looks like:

• Assess the task, assign the right person and support them.
  - This will build trust and respect.
• Communicate clearly and precisely, using language and methods that resonate with the individual.
  - This will build a more robust understanding of the task.
• Request the team member to repeat the instructions to ensure they are clear.
  - This will minimise procrastination and re-do work, increasing productivity.
• Set a clear timeframe and request notification when the task is complete.
  - This increases the likelihood of the task being completed on time.
• Review outcomes with the team members.
  - Taking time to discuss what went well and what could be improved will improve future outcomes for all involved.

Create your delegation to-do list:

• Which tasks could I delegate?
• Who can I delegate them to?
  - Ensure these tasks are part of their career development.
• What training is needed?
• What's expected of each task, and what is the best process?
  - What systems should be created?
• How can I support improved productivity?
  - Are weekly check-ins required to ensure success?

Delegation is a skill you can learn.  It's also an investment in your people and your time freedom. 

Get in touch if you would like support in improving your systems for a more productive and profitable business.