Delegation is probably one of the most important skills for any business leader to learn.
When you do it well, you’ll increase productivity, boost morale and have a good shot at achieving your goals. Done poorly or not at all and both you and your team will suffer.
Let’s look at how you can make big improvements to your team through successful delegation.
What is delegation
Delegation is defined as assigning a particular job or responsibility and is an integral part of effective leadership. Through it, there are several benefits for leaders and their teams.
Assigning tasks can help you to manage your time more efficiently, allowing the focus to be on higher-level tasks that require your expertise. This, in turn, can improve team performance and morale, as your team feels empowered to take on more responsibility and contribute to your company’s success.
Now that might make it sound easy, but some leaders struggle with delegation. Not only can this have a negative on your team but increase your risk of burnout.
One reason for this is a lack of trust in the team’s abilities. That deficit in confidence is felt by those below you. Without empowerment and accountability, you’ll quickly find your team becoming demotivated and possibly looking for opportunities elsewhere.
Communication and decision-making are further common delegation problems. As a leader, you need to be clear in what your expectations are, set achievable goals and ensure your team has the necessary resources to complete what you ask. Be sure to check in regularly with them and support as needed - without taking over the task yourself.