Last week we discussed how delegation can free you, the leader, to focus on your high priority, strategic work. Delegation also empowers your team and direct reports, enabling them to build their own job skills.
But there is an art to delegation. Here are some of the common delegation mistakes to beware of:
- Be clear on the outcome you want. Sometimes, we feel so overwhelmed that we fail to plan out the ask ahead of time and end up confusing the person we’re delegating to. Take the time to think through the job before handing it off. Hand-off a concrete, clear request.
- Give the context, big picture, and “why” the job is needed. Help them understand the reason the job is important, any back-story related to the task (including relationship-related issues that may help or hinder progress), and how this work connects to the overall strategy. This background will help them deliver a better outcome.
- Be realistic and supportive. Make sure the job you’re handing off is suited to what they can reasonably do (even if it’s a stretch) in the timeline given. Give them resources and support to complete the task well.
- Avoid open-ended tasks. It’s fine to co-create the assignment with the person you’re delegating to, but at the end of your discussion, make sure you both know what the deliverable is, what level of decision-making authority they have, and when it’s due.
- It’s not all about you. Let them know how you see this task benefitting them, in terms of what they like to do, their job aspirations, the skills they want to grow, etc. Tap into their motivation.
- Stay out of the weeds. Be clear on the expected outcomes without prescribing how they should do each step. Autonomy is a prime intrinsic motivator. Allow them to figure out the “how” on their own. They may even come up with a way of doing the job that’s better than what you would have suggested!
- Keep your hands on the wheel. For bigger projects, set milestones and check-ins that suit both of you. This will ensure timelines and deliverables are on track and they’re getting the appropriate support they need to do the job.
There are lots of great books and podcasts that can help you improve your delegation skills. A leadership coach can also work with you to understand your delegation challenges and ways to make progress so you can free up your time to focus on what’s most important.
Recent Comments