Delegation.. is it difficult? No.. is it something different? No.. Then what is it?
Here are couple of things which will explain 'Delegation' in short.
A) Identifying delegation tasks:
It's very easy to identify tasks for delegation, like..
- Routine tasks
- Easy tasks
- Time-consuming tasks
- Non-urgent tasks
- Parts of more complex tasks
Then you'll remain with the tasks you cacn't delegate.
These are: Tough tasks, critical tasks and tasks delegated to you.
B) Who to delegate to:
- People with spare time
- Juniors (so they'll feel they are progressing)
- Senior staff
- People with necessary skills
- People who want to learn new skills
C) Advantages:
I) For you: More time, freedom to concentrate on other important things, security if you are way from work - people being able to carry on with parts of your work.
II) For others: Skills development, ability to use existing skills, involvement, less delays.
D) If this is what delegation meant for you, then what you cacn do to have it successul?
What is the single most important thing required?
Yes... Communication, of course.
Communicate -
- the task (explain why you are delegating)
- the limits (time frame)
- to others (to keep everybody on same page)
E) What you can do:
- Give support (without enchroaching in their work)
- Monitor progress at regular intervals (no micro management)
- Check for any need of training
- Never ever take back a task (if possible), better help to complete it.
- (IMPO) Never ever take back a task and give it to some body, it's humiliating.
Finally, delegation is not to be taken lightly. Invest time in delegating properly, to avoid wasting time solving problems later. After all, delegation is a nice balance between keeping control and responsibility, and giving away freedom and accountability.
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Catch you next time,
Mahesh Masurkar, PMP
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