Business leaders and managers must always be prepared to delegate certain tasks. An individual cannot be expected to have the time or necessary skills to cover every required task.
There are a number of additional advantages to delegating properly, other than just getting the job done. They are:-
- Greater effectiveness and efficiency
- Increases motivation, respect and trust
- Improves and develops the skills of the team
- Better distribution of workload throughout the group
Four Basic Rules of Delegation- Select the most suitable person to undertake the identified task.
- Prepare the selected person. Explain the identified task together with its associated goals and objectives simply and clearly. Make sure that the selected person clearly understands what is required. Be flexible enough in the task description for the development of individual ingenuity and initiative to be displayed.
- Make sure the selected person has the necessary authority to complete the task properly.
- Maintain regular communication with the selected person for support and to review progress. Do not get so close as to be seen as interfering. Accept alternative approaches to solutions.
Tasks Following Delegation- Plan - goals, meeting, tasks
- Direct - the team, focus on the objective and goals
- Provide encouragement and regular feedback - boost morale
- When completed, praise and acknowledge a job well done
Failure To or Poor DelegationIndicative signs that a leader is failing to delegate or has delegated poorly includes the following:-
- Team motivation and morale is down
- The leader is constantly working late
- The team is confused and or has internal conflicts producing tension between members
- The leader is constantly receiving questions about delegated tasks
Tasks Never To Be DelegatedSome tasks must always remain with a leader as they are sensitive and should not be delegated. Such tasks include:-
- Hiring
- Firing
- Remuneration issues
- Policy
- Strategy