What is delegation and why is it important?
A good business owner understands they can’t take on every responsibility. Delegation – the act of passing along certain responsibilities to in-house staff or outside resources rather than holding onto them – can help you maximize managerial effectiveness and grow your business.
What are the benefits of delegation?
Allows time for strategic planning
It can be difficult, even near impossible, for business owners to step away from the day-to-day. But being able to do so through delegation means you have more time to focus on long-term planning and on strategizing how to sustain and grow your company. Strategic planning is a very useful tool to help you achieve your business objectives and stand out from your competitors.
Empowers employees and boosts morale
Delegating shows your team that you value their existing expertise and want to help them further develop their skills and grow in their roles. That recognition of their abilities helps foster a positive work culture and fuels everyone’s desire to succeed and give back to the company.
Maximizes efficiency and productivity
Spending the time required to delegate properly isn’t a waste. When the workload is split between not just more people but the right people, everyone wins. Effective delegation isn’t random – it plays to individual strengths, making for a more efficient and productive workplace. Effective delegation also allows flexibility – as you allow better distribution of responsibilities, in return it allows your business to be more flexible and adaptable to changes. If an employee is absent or leaves, other team members can take over more easily.
Protects mental health
Handling 100% of the tasks 100% of the time is untenable. Delegating helps business owners avoid burnout and allows them to focus on the high-level tasks that are their responsibility. It also puts you in a position of leading by example, showing your team that no one can – or should – do it all (not even the boss).
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Are you delegating effectively? A step-by-step guide.
Identify which tasks to delegate
There’s a good chance that many day-to-day tasks can be delegated, freeing up people in leadership roles so they can take a step back and refocus on their company’s key projects and broad goals. If someone on your existing team or an outside resource is better equipped than you to tackle a task, empowering them to do so will boost both productivity and morale.
Choose the right person for the job
When it comes time to delegate, you can train a member of your existing staff, farm work out to subcontractors, or hire a new employee. If it’s someone already in-house, find an employee whose skills and career goals match the tasks you’re looking to pass on. And make sure they are committed to staying with the company – if they decide to leave, their newfound expertise leaves with them. At times, going the subcontractor route or hiring a new employee altogether is necessary to get the right fit. Start by reaching out to your network – it’s quite likely the perfect person is just one or two degrees of separation away.
Clearly define the desired outcome
Delegation is meant to streamline processes, not create snags and snarls. In order to avoid confusion, it’s important to offer concise instruction. Clearly articulate what the delegated task is meant to accomplish, establish timelines and deadlines, and communicate what constitutes success in this particular instance. Prioritize before delegating – it’s important to determine which tasks are the most critical and which can be delegated. This ensures that essential tasks are handled by the right people.
Provide resources and support
Making sure your team member is clear on their goals from the start is just the first step in the chain of communication. Setting them up with the tools and resources they need to succeed, as well as the agency to accomplish the tasks at hand, is critical. Use project management tools to track progress, manage deadlines and communicate effectively.
Offer continuous feedback
Effective delegation doesn’t mean assigning a task and walking away. Scheduling regular check-ins and progress updates will ensure that problems can be addressed and resolved swiftly. Offering support and professional development in the form of two-way communication, constructive criticism and positive reinforcement strategies help build confidence and trust, ultimately fostering the autonomy and authority required to flourish.
Allow room for mistakes and learning
Rare is the person who performs spectacularly and consistently at a new task. Acknowledging that obstacles and challenges are to be expected and offering guidance on how to work through them will lead to a growth-oriented work environment that benefits everyone. Mistakes can allow employees opportunities to learn, gain valuable experience, hone problem-solving skills and build resilience.
Recognize and reward good work
Giving credit is a small move that can pay big dividends. Public praise helps boost morale and motivation, which in turn enhances team efficiency, productivity and engagement. An employee who is acknowledged and valued is more likely to strive to succeed and be accountable.
Learn more:
To further explore the topics of attracting and retaining employees, team cohesion and finding skilled labour, read on.
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Should you already be delegating?
Running a business can be all-consuming. Looming burnout in the form of missed deadlines or too much effort spent on repetitive tasks and operational responsibilities that could be handled by someone else means it’s time to shift gears. Being overwhelmed by your current workload isn’t just bad for your health – it can lead to stalled growth for your company. Don’t underestimate the power of important negotiations. Negotiations with key business partners and investors should be conducted by executives of the company to maintain strong relationships and ensure the best possible outcomes for your business.
When should delegation be avoided?
It’s important to remember, however, that not every task can be reassigned. While empowering your employees to take on new challenges and develop their skill set is essential, high-level strategic initiatives, confidential assignments and tasks that correspond with your specific expertise should typically remain with leadership.
Learning to delegate is an essential management skill that requires time, patience and effort, but the benefits are undeniable. If done conscientiously and consistently, delegation can be among the most important contributions you make to your company and for your colleagues. Feel free to ask for advice or support from an expert.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.