UXL Blog

If you’re like many leaders, you earned your position through hard work, resilience, and effectiveness. You know you have what it takes to get things done and forge ahead. These are great qualities, BUT they may make you reluctant to trust others with jobs that you could just do yourself. Here’s the reality: you cannot, and should not, do everything yourself. Doing so will make your leadership less effective, will convey that you do not trust your team, and will obligate you to continue working on detailed tasks when you should be looking at the bigger picture. So, delegate!

To become a more effective delegator, try these 6 tips:

1. Extend Trust

It can be challenging to let go and trust others to do a job as well as you could. However, it’s essential to extend trust to your team members. You hired them for their expertise, so let them use their skills to shine. When you trust your team, you’re not only empowering them, but you’re also freeing up your time to focus on tasks that require your attention and specialized skills.

2. Clearly Communicate Expectations

One of the primary reasons delegation fails is due to unclear or unrealistic expectations. It’s crucial to communicate what you want done, how you want it done, and by when. Be sure to provide context and instructions that detail the scope of work to minimize confusion. To learn more about clarity in communication, check out my video on the subject.

3. Provide Resources

To ensure your team can deliver on your expectations, provide them with the essential resources needed to complete the job. These could include financial support, equipment, tools, or software. Providing these resources ensures your team can effectively do their job and prevents them from feeling like they’ve been set up for failure. Remember: you can also be a resource! Be sure to emphasize to your team that they can approach you with any question, roadblock, or concern.

4. Allow for Different Approaches to a Problem

People have different styles and, therefore, different approaches to solving problems. As a leader, it’s essential to recognize and value these differences. Encourage your team to tackle problems in their own way, and you may find that they come up with innovative solutions you hadn’t even thought of. When I was a leader at 3M, I periodically let my team brainstorm solutions without me, and if they missed the mark, I gave them a little guidance and had them try again. I was always amazed at the creativity and innovation that bubbled up during those sessions!

5. Don’t Micromanage

Related to allowing for difference approaches, it’s also essential to not micromanage your team. Micromanaging sends the message that you don’t trust others to do the work. It’s also a waste of time and energy. Once you’ve given clear instructions, trust your team to execute the job in their way. Be available to offer guidance or answers to questions but avoid constantly checking in to see how things are progressing.

6. Provide Feedback

It’s easy to forget that delegating is a two-way street. Just as you expect your team to deliver on their expectations, they expect feedback on their performance. Provide constructive feedback that acknowledges their achievements and points out areas that could be improved upon. This will empower them to grow and take on more significant responsibilities in the future.

Delegation may seem challenging at first, but by implementing these six tips, you can become a better delegator, free up your time, and empower your team members. Remember, delegation is a leadership skill that you can develop and perfect over time. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and responsibilities, as this will not only help you achieve your goals but also provide growth opportunities for your team members. So, start delegating today and see the positive impact it has on your team’s productivity and success!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: benefits of delegation, Better delegation, boost delegation skills, leadership and delegation, Margaret Smith business coach, margaret smith leadership