Delegating tasks and responsibilities can be a challenging task for many managers. It requires self-awareness, understanding of your team’s’ strengths and weaknesses, and the ability to trust others to accomplish tasks. However, when done effectively, delegation can maximize productivity, distribute workloads more evenly and free up time to focus on other important tasks.
In this article, we’ll explore how to delegate tasks and assign responsibilities with confidence and share top techniques to help you become a delegation pro.
Handing Over the Reins: Delegating Tasks with Confidence
Delegation means you entrust tasks to others. To delegate tasks with confidence, you need to be sure that you are trusting a competent individual with the work.
-
Be clear about the task: Ensure you are clear what the delegated task entails so that the assignee has clear directions on what is expected of them. Being clear about expectations will reduce confusion and frustration down the line.
-
Pick the right person: Consider delegating tasks to people with complementary skills who can add value to the project. Look for team members who have the necessary background, training, and experience to accomplish the task assigned.
-
Establish clear lines of communication: Let the assignee know that they can come to you if they have any questions or concerns. Schedule check-ins or follow-up meetings to track progress on the task.
-
Trust the individual: Show trust in the person you’re delegating to by giving them the freedom to complete the task assigned. This step requires trust in your intuition and letting go of micromanagement tendencies.
-
Provide feedback: Providing feedback during and after the assigned task helps the person improve, thus making delegation a learning process for everyone involved.
How to Assign Responsibilities like a Pro: Top Delegation Techniques
In this section, we’ll explore the best delegation techniques that top managers use to assign responsibilities effectively:
-
SMART objective setting: Make sure the task is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Setting SMART objectives will provide clarity around what needs to be done and set a baseline for what success looks like.
-
Start small: If you’re unsure about a team member’s skills, then start with smaller tasks before moving on to more substantial or complex assignments. This will help the team member build confidence and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed.
-
Situational delegation: Different tasks and projects might require different delegation styles. Some require more supervision, while others require more independence and self-leadership. Know what approach works best in each situation to get the desired outcome.
-
Develop a delegation process: A consistent delegation process that is easy to replicate can save time and create understanding for everyone involved in the delegation process.
-
Develop your team members: When delegating tasks, use it as an opportunity to develop your team members’ skills. Assign tasks that challenge and develop their expertise while still being achievable.
-
Collaborate: Delegation is not just about assigning tasks. It’s also about working together towards a common goal. Schedule check-ins and progress reviews to ensure everyone is moving in the same direction and working collaboratively.
-
Create a positive environment: Creating a positive environment increases engagement and productivity. Praise and acknowledge progress made by team members, encourage open feedback, and create an inclusive environment that fosters communication and collaboration.
Delegating tasks and responsibilities can be an excellent way to develop your team and improve productivity. When done correctly, delegation results in more efficient workloads and increased creativity and innovation. Using these delegation techniques and best practices, you can instill a sense of trust and accountability within your team, allowing them to work cohesively towards achieving shared goals.
