A lot of hard work goes into being a good manager. There are definite traits that most good managers have in common. They’re positive, flexible, accountable, focused and good at communicating openly and honestly. Another common trait is they’re good at delegating work. For many managers, it’s a tough thing to do. But it’s a necessity.
The Importance of Delegating
It’s natural for some bosses, especially those who are first-timers, to pile everything onto their own work plate and try to do it all themselves. They’re looking to impress and not project a sense that they’re not able to handle the work. For other managers, it may be the old “if you want something done right, do it yourself” mentality. But managers who can’t let go of that mindset won’t succeed – and probably won’t be around for the long run. And they’ll be a big ‘ol stress ball. Delegating helps lighten a manager’s plate, fosters collaboration and greater accountability and develops a stronger team of workers.
Delegating helps lighten a manager’s plate, fosters collaboration and greater accountability and develops a stronger team of workers.
So that being said, don’t be a control freak when it comes to your work. Read on for 6 tips for delegating work effectively.
Don’t Think of it as Dumping
Don’t think about delegating work as ‘dumping’ work. It’s not about passing work off on the first employee that walks by your office door. If done right, delegation will motivate the team and increase productivity.
Plan First, Then Act
Think before delegating work. If you sit back and carefully plan what you’re going to delegate and how you’re going to delegate it, everybody wins. Brian Tracy, American author, speaker and motivational expert, says that every minute of planning saves 10-12 minutes in execution. Something to think about.
Be Strategic
Your employees represent different experience levels, skill sets and personalities. So be strategic in your work delegation, especially those bigger projects. Match the tasks to the talents on your team. It not only helps ensure the work is going to be done well, but it also distributes accountability and makes for a more responsible, motivated group of employees.
Take Small Steps at First
Of course, when it comes to delegating work you want to share not only the smaller tasks, but the more substantial tasks as well. But if that fear of ‘letting go’ is still strong, start out with small steps. Delegate some of the more routine tasks that you have already mastered, so you can clear your mind and focus on your most challenging tasks.
Consider Outsourcing
Sometimes you just won’t have the bandwidth or expertise on your team to delegate the work you need to delegate. That’s when outsourcing to a third party can be beneficial. Whether it’s outsourcing a one-time project or outsourcing an entire departmental function – like employment services – it’s a smart option for many businesses. Someone will need to manage that outside resource. If it makes sense to, delegate that responsibility to someone on your team.
Provide Feedback
Whether you decide to delegate work to a third party or delegate internally, don’t pass the work on and then ‘let it go’. It’s always important to follow up and make sure the work is getting done and getting done well. As a manager, that’s your job.
If you’re a CT business looking to delegate some staffing-related services to an outside expert, connect with us. We can assist you with direct recruiting, temp-to-hire, contract staffing and much more.