“Delegation means delegating responsibility, authority, and accountability.”

         You delegate to improve your efficiency and to give more time for your high-priority tasks, such as spending time talking to your people and clients. You delegate to develop your people into better teams and to improve efficiency by placing decision-making authority in the hands of the people closest to the action.

Your ability to delegate is the key to good management and leadership – the best managers are the best delegators and facilitators. 

TO DELEGATE:

Give clear instructions – verbally and in writing.

         Give the person the authority to act.

Make sure they have the time and the skills to do the tasks.

         Explain the results wanted.

Agree on deadlines.

         Tell them where to go for help.

Don’t’ interfere – let people do the tasks their way.

         Ask for feedback and reports.

Be helpful and positive but be prepared to counsel if necessary.

         Praise good work. If you have to criticize, make sure your criticism is tactful and constructive.  Praise, recommend and praise again is a good rule.

“Tell people what you want to be done, by when, and leave them to it. You are still responsible for what you delegate, but by giving staff greater autonomy you will enrich their work and stimulate production. If you feel unable to delegate you’ve probably got the wrong team about you.”

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)