5 Tips to Delegate Efficiently as a Leader

18 Mar 5 Tips to Delegate Efficiently as a Leader

Delegation is a crucial aspect of effective leadership, and a 2015 Gallup study of 143 Inc. 500 CEOs found that executives who delegate effectively have companies that grow faster, produce more revenue, and create more jobs. Intelligent leaders see delegation as an excellent opportunity to succeed as it helps liberate your time to focus on activities that create more value for your organization, empower your employees by training and mentoring them, provide your subordinates with a sense of importance and self-esteem which leads to motivation and growth, and make your employees feel a sense of ownership and involvement resulting in improved retention and satisfaction at work.

To overcome your resistance to delegation, you need to look at the bigger picture, and what it can do for you in the long run. My advice to leaders who want to ensure effective delegation is:

1. Identify each direct report’s key responsibilities. Schedule one-on-one meetings with each person. Discuss specific areas of responsibility with them and ask, “Are there certain situations where you feel I get too involved? Are there situations where I can let go more?” Leaders almost always find that this exercise reveals that sometimes delegation is desired, and sometimes it is not.
2. You may want to ask each direct report, “Do you ever see me doing things that someone at my level shouldn’t be doing?” “Could I give myself more time to focus on long-term planning and strategy if I could help others grow and develop?” Direct reports generally have great suggestions.
3. A wise leader understands that some tasks require specialized skills, and that these tasks should be performed by people who are trained in these areas. Some examples of tasks that top leaders should almost always delegate are: Creative work, IT, Email management, Legal matters.
4. Be specific about what and who. Delegation starts with identifying tasks you can give someone else without negatively impacting quality. There are a variety of tasks that do not require your expertise and will benefit your employees in some way. Delegation empowers employees while creating time for you to do other things. Assign tasks carefully however, as the employees must possess appropriate skills and abilities, and they must be available.
5. Don’t leave anyone in the dark about the task you are delegating. Provide details on what you expect, how you want the results delivered, and when you need them. Be as clear as possible about your expectations and instructions. Make sure to check on the progress, as this will allow you to correct mistakes as they occur, and provide positive feedback to elevate employee morale.

In conclusion, delegation is a key aspect of effective leadership and has been proven to result in faster growth, increased revenue and more jobs, as well as to improve employee morale, motivation and satisfaction. By following these five tips, leaders can delegate effectively and enjoy the benefits that come with it.