Facts About Delegating at Work
When stuck in a rut at work and have too much to do and not enough time to do it all, it’s time to delegate. Educator Jonathan Osler discusses delegation strategies that managers can use. He talks about how managers can delegate tasks at work.
1. Assess the task:
Before delegating a task, be sure to assess what is involved. Understand the task’s requirements as a manager and are confident that they can explain them to the person who will be doing the work.
Also, consider the team’s skills and abilities. Can anyone on the team do this task? Or is there a need to bring in someone from outside the team?
If it’s unclear whether or not a particular task should be delegated, consult with the boss or another manager for guidance.
It’s also important to remember that delegation is not about dumping tasks on other people. The goal is to create a win-win situation where everyone involved benefits from the process.
2. Explain the task:
Once a decision has been made to delegate a task, it’s important to explain the particulars of the assignment. This includes what is expected and how much time is available for completing the work.
Be sure to provide all relevant information, including any specific instructions or requirements that must be followed. And don’t forget to include an estimate of when the task should be completed.
If possible, involve the person who will be doing the work in this step. They can ask questions and get clarification on what is expected of them. This will help avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
It’s also helpful for managers to set expectations about communication. Will regular updates be required? Or just upon completion of the task?
3. Follow-up:
Once the task has been delegated, it’s important to stay involved. This means checking in regularly to ensure that things are moving along as expected.
If there are any problems or delays, take action right away. Please don’t wait until the end of the project to address them. And be sure to give credit where credit is due. When someone does a good job, let them know.
4. Let go:
At some point, managers need to let go and trust that the person they’ve delegated the task to can handle things independently. This doesn’t mean walking away and never looking back. But it does mean allowing team members to prove themselves.
Managers who take the time to delegate tasks properly can free themselves up to focus on more important things. And they can be assured that their team is capable of handling most tasks that come their way.
5. Celebrate success:
When a task is delegated and completed successfully, be sure to celebrate. This can be done in various ways, such as by giving the team member who did the work a bonus or taking them out for lunch.
Jonathan Osler says, “Delegation is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process that requires regular check-ins and course corrections.” By following these tips, managers can successfully delegate tasks and free up time to focus on more important things. And the benefits are worth it.