Practicing The Art Of Delegation
Practicing The Art Of Delegation
In delegating there are six important steps which need to be considered: analyse, decide, select, plan, delegate and follow-up. While you won't necessarily work through all six aspects when delegating day to day, they form the context for delegation and should be re-visited regularly.
1. Analyse - What are the functions of my role?
You need to establish:
• What are your objectives?
• What are your actual functions?
• What results are expected of you?
• Could anyone else do it?
• Could anyone else be trained?
• What are your actual functions?
• What results are expected of you?
• Could anyone else do it?
• Could anyone else be trained?
2. Decide - Which tasks should I delegate?
You need to decide:
• In which areas are you uniquely qualified?
• In which areas are other people better qualified than you?
• Which tasks should be given to someone who needs developing?
• In which areas are other people better qualified than you?
• Which tasks should be given to someone who needs developing?
3. Plan - How am I planning my delegation strategy?
Plan carefully:
• Delegate 'whole tasks'.
• Clarify suitable limits of authority.
• Establish performance standards.
• Establish feedback channels.
• Clarify suitable limits of authority.
• Establish performance standards.
• Establish feedback channels.
4. Select - Who should I delegate to?
When choosing a delegatee consider:
• Their interests and abilities.
• Who would best rise to the challenge?
• Which person's workload logically fits with the new task?
• Who would benefit from the development opportunity?
• Who would best rise to the challenge?
• Which person's workload logically fits with the new task?
• Who would benefit from the development opportunity?
5. Delegate - How do I delegate effectively?
To delegate effectively:
• Explain intended results or outcomes.
• Clarify degree of authority, responsibility, timeframes and operational parameters.
• Take the time to communicate clearly.
• Establish feedback loops
• Clarify degree of authority, responsibility, timeframes and operational parameters.
• Take the time to communicate clearly.
• Establish feedback loops
6. Follow-up - What are my follow-up procedures?
Follow up by:
• Ensuring that you are kept informed.
• Insisting on results, not perfection.
• Encouraging independence.
• Not taking back assignments - unless you have to.
• Stating when progress will be checked.
• Celebrating success.
• Insisting on results, not perfection.
• Encouraging independence.
• Not taking back assignments - unless you have to.
• Stating when progress will be checked.
• Celebrating success.
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