6 Ways To Delegate Like A Boss
Make time in your schedule for more important things.
No one can do it quite like you can, and yet, you can’t do it all. This is a truth many leaders must face when building a team, growing a business, or simply pulling themselves out of overwhelm.
Once you realize you need to delegate, then comes the practice of letting go.
Remember — leadership is more than a position, it's a call for action to inspire and motivate others. When you start thinking of leading a team as supporting other people in their growth vs. solely getting tasks off your plate, you can begin to think differently about how and when to delegate.
How to start delegating to get the support you need.
1. Know when to delegate.
The Eisenhower Matrix is a tool to help prioritize tasks and is divided into four parts: if it's important and urgent- do it yourself. If it's important but not urgent - schedule it. If it's urgent but not important - delegate it. If it's not important, not urgent- delete it.
2. Give clarity and provide the right resources.
If you've worked for a boss who was sketchy on the details then you'll understand perfectly how frustrating this can be. Be a better boss, explain clearly what you want and then follow up with ensuring that the right resources to carry out the task are provided. Your team will learn and grow and you'll be happy to have one more item off your plate.
3. Stop micromanaging.
Choose the person that you believe can get the work done and open channels of communication to discuss difficulties that arise. Don't be overbearing — your team shouldn't feel like they have to walk on eggshells. You want to empower them to own the task they were assigned to and to trust their professional instinct and talents.
It is also critical that you trust your choice of delegate and let the work be done. Make sure that you're always available for assistance, and offer it cheerfully when requested. Asking for help takes courage!
4. Agree on the task’s deadline.
Setting a timeline for completion is important for both parties. You and your team should agree on the deadline and when you expect deliverables. If there is a possibility of a change in schedule due to unforeseen circumstances it should be properly communicated. Make sure the communication is flowing!
5. Pay attention to the process.
It's common that some supervisors care only about the result of completing a task. The right result doesn't necessarily mean that the right methods were used, though. Let your delegate understand this also. This will create a sense of mindfulness when they are working on the project.
If it's a task that is frequently repeated, creating a process flow or guideline can be useful for others later on.
Build a team of leaders.
This should be your long term goal as an amazing boss. You want an awesome team that can operate even when you're unavailable. In the hospitality industry it is commonly said that the best "mise-en-place" is a great team. Once you build a strong team, you can delegate with more confidence. As you grow, it will feel great knowing that you have a team of capable leaders ready to carry out your vision!
