Effective Delegation: 4 Tips Every Leader Should Know
There is a lot of work that goes into being a leader, but one of the most important strategies that are often forgotten is effective delegation. It is impossible to be everywhere at once, and by trying to do everything yourself, things will fall through the cracks and growth will stagnate. But how can you make sure things are being done properly and responsibly? Here are four tips about effective delegation that every leader should know.
1. Plan Ahead and Delegate Early
Not many things are as stressful as managing responsibilities within a time crunch or getting a hefty project launched on your plate with an unrealistic turnaround time. If you have a task that is heavily dependent on a deadline you are attempting to delegate, it may be best to wait until there is a more reasonable time to do so or provide an alternative plan.
By delegating tasks early, there is less pressure for everything to be smooth and seamless within the first trial. This also gives you ample time to plan ahead. Planning ahead means ensuring that you are choosing the right person to take on the task (someone with the time and necessary qualifications and training) and communicating with them before the transition begins.
2. Be Clear with Expectations
As is true with anything in an organization, it is crucial to have clear goals and expectations. The reason that this is especially important when it comes to effective delegation is that you are aiming to achieve a hands-off relationship with the task at hand. If expectations are unclear, it is far too easy for things to fall through the cracks, come up short, or go in the wrong direction. Have honest conversations with the person taking on the task to ensure they understand the proper, reasonable expectations at hand.
3. Provide Support without Micromanaging
The entire purpose of delegating a task is to take the bulk of it off your plate and run your workplace more efficiently. That said, it doesn’t mean that you have to completely unload the task and wash your hands of it completely. It is possible - and crucial - to still provide proper guidance, support, and instruction so that the delegation is successful.
The best way to do this is to focus on pointing your workers to the right resources and instructions they need to complete the task. This includes any relevant contacts, information, or procedure that makes it all possible. You yourself can be an important resource, but make sure to draw a clear line in order to avoid micromanaging.
4. Evaluate Performance and Recognize Success
By delegating tasks, you are effectively putting leadership responsibility on someone else’s shoulders. While this is a journey for you, it is important to remember that it is one for your team member as well.
This means that it is important to communicate with your employee and evaluate their performance along the way. Recognizing success and providing constructive criticism at steady intervals will make it so that you can improve the quality of work without having to micromanage. Plus, making sure that you recognize the hard work that they are inputting is the best way to ensure it continues.
For more helpful leadership tips and resources, contact The People Institute today. We are here to help you connect with your team through comprehensive professional development training.