"Boost your efficiency-and your team's morale-by handing off assignments to the right people."
Delegating is a win-win proposition for you and your employees. You free yourself to focus on what matters most while you train and motivate your workers by entrusting key assignments to them.
Supervisors often harbor misconceptions about delegation. They equate delegating with doling out tasks to people. But it's actually the process of having employees address meaningful projects-including ongoing duties-that go beyond short-term, to-do items.
For example, you ask Chris to write the weekly trend-analysis report. That's true delegation, as opposed to giving Chris copies of the report and saying, �Please distribute these reports to the six names on this list.�
- Supervisors may also assume that delegation consists of handing off assignments. That's only partially true. Delegating requires follow-up. You don't just push jobs onto others; rather you take an active interest in monitoring how the employee performs. You offer guidance and encouragement along the way-and you deliver praise for a job well done.
- Your communication skills are put to the test when you delegate. You need to explain the goals of the assignment, the timetable and your expectations. Employees must understand how you'll measure their performance and hold them accountable for the results. They must also see how the project affects the bottom-line operation of the organization so that they appreciate its impact and significance.