Leading by Letting Go (Part 2)
Making Delegation Work
Delegating tasks isn't easy. Whether assigning someone to write a scheme of work or lead a school attendance initiative, you might feel you could do it quicker and better. However, failing to delegate effectively can make your staff feel undervalued and distrusted due to micromanagement. Conversely, over-delegating can lead to perceptions of abdicated responsibilities. Effective delegation should empower and build trust within your team.
Effective Delegation
To delegate effectively:
1. Purpose: Understand why you’re delegating. Are you offloading tasks to develop your team, or merely avoiding work?
2. Letting Go: Allow others to take on tasks that hinder your potential by trying to do everything yourself.
Key Elements for Delegation
1. Capability: Ensure the individual has the necessary skills and resources.
2. Authority: Grant decision-making power in the delegated task.
3. Accountability: Hold them responsible for the outcome.
Balanced Delegation
- Capability + Authority + Accountability: Ensures effective leadership and responsibility.
- Missing Elements: Leads to exposure, undermining, or lack of responsibility, harming the organization.
Delegation Plan
Create a matrix showing team members, goals, and their skills. This promotes fair responsibility distribution and professional development opportunities.
Clear Delegation Process
- Task Suitability: Delegate tasks appropriate to the individual’s skills.
- Clarity: Define the task scope and expectations clearly.
Linking Delegation to Development
Performance Development: Align tasks with team members’ development goals for a win-win situation.
- Training Needs: Identify and address any training needs for successful task completion.
Support Systems
- Coaching and Mentoring: Provide support through coaching or mentoring, possibly from outside the direct management chain, to help team members handle new challenges effectively.
By following these guidelines, you can delegate tasks effectively, empowering your team and enhancing overall performance.
“When you delegate tasks, you create followers. When you delegate authority, you create leaders.” − Craig Groeschel.
Love and Light
DAO