So you’re convinced that delegating is the right course of action for your team. That’s great – now your time will be freed up to do the work that requires your own particular expertise.
But be careful, of course, of the potential pitfalls you may face. Here are some things to avoid when delegating:
Avoid overload
Choose carefully which members to whom you are assigning tasks. The purpose of delegating is to become more efficient with the workload.
If you have people with a lot of work on their plate – or who, like you, are better served working on more difficult, high-priority tasks – it would be best to look elsewhere.
Avoid communication problems
A common mistake in delegation is the lack of clear expectations. Be patient when it comes to instructions. Make sure your team members understand the tasks, the deadlines, the metrics of success. It may
take some extra time at the beginning of a project but it saves a lot more in the long run.
Avoid micromanagement
There’s a reason why micromanaging is such a dirty word in the workplace. It’s a sign of a lack of trust.
Remember, your job is to identify the correct people, set clear objectives and then let go. If you did your part well, the results should show regardless of whether you are looking over your team
members’ shoulders or not. This can make the difference between a simple manager and a great leader.
Delegating tasks in-house is a good idea, as it opens up the leader’s time for the most important tasks or even just to lighten the load and give them a well-deserved break.
If your team lacks some of the necessary experience or skills that eliminates delegation as an option, though, try contacting an outsourcing company like TukkoLabs for services that might benefit
your business.