| Delegation | | Print | |
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Page 1 of 2 The most effective leaders rely heavily on their ability to delegate. To lead is to set a course and then create the conditions under which all team members are able to give their very best, to perform at peak capacity, feel the importance of their personal contribution, and thoroughly enjoy themselves in the process! For this to occur, each person must be empowered to contribute meaningful parts of the process toward the stated goals of the group.
Delegation is fundamentally NOT about handing down a project with the instructions to “have it completed by Friday”. When delegating a project, remember these secrets to success. 1. Know Your Team MembersChoosing the right person for the project is the first step in delegation. In order to make this decision, you must know the skill level of each member of your team. Which projects can they handle independently? Which projects can they handle with a little guidance or access to additional resources? What are their interests? Team members tend to do well with projects that are both challenging and interesting. 2. Establish ObjectivesClearly communicate your objectives to each team member involved in the project. Your objectives should be concrete, measurable, and concise. Write them down and review them yourself, if necessary. Remember your role is to guide. Give your team direction by creating with them clarity about the desired outcomes and what their role is in the process. Having this information will allow team members to work more independently. Depending upon the nature of the team, you will invite more or less input from them in creating the goals. 3. Give a DeadlineDeadlines should be agreed upon for any project worth doing. Be specific, committed, and realistic when establishing deadlines with your team. Without deadlines, team members will not feel responsible for completing the task. Projects with a deadline are usually seen as more important. 4. Develop a Method of ReportingEstablishing a reporting system will eliminate team members coming to you frequently for spontaneous feedback. Decide the best method of reporting (meeting, e-mail, written report) and the time line (weekly, monthly, daily). It is important that each team member knows what information you need in their report. 5. Focus on the ResultsLet go of the details. Empower your team to take care of the day-to-day details. Let them know where your main focus is - with the final outcome. |