The Gentle Art of Delegation

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Why Delegate Anyway?

1. To give yourself more personal time.
2. To give yourself the opportunity to do more and therefore to achieve more.
3. To be able to grow your business more effectively
4. To improve productivity and efficiency – both of yourself and of your key people.
5. To allow for the growth and development of your staff.
6. To teach your staff to accept more responsibility and become more valuable to you.

The key steps of delegation

1. Before you delegate – use this test…

“What is the worst that could happen – and can I live with that?”

If you feel that you could live with the worst that could happen – then you delegate

2. What is the cost of not delegating?

Compare the cost to you of your time per hour  – against the cost per hour of a team member (or outside source). Then decide if the job should be delegated or not.

3. The Process of Delegation to a staff member:

Have a clearly defined set of policies in place that the staff member can refer to for guidance – and be prepared to stand behind the staff member’s decisions based on those policies.
Give them the skills and training needed to do the task.
Give them the Responsibility to take the action required.
Give them the Authority to be able take the action required.
Give them a time frame to complete the task.
Give them a clear picture of what outcome you want.
Give them feedback so they know if they are producing what you want.

4. Keeping control – after you have delegated.

(Two different levels of delegation)

1. Team member is asked to look at all the options – make a decision – and report back to you for your final OK – before any action is taken.
2. Team member is asked to do as above, then take the action –and report back the results of the action for review by you.