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Performance Rx
 
 
 
Recommended Resources

"Delegating Work"
Harvard Business School Press

"The Busy Manager's Guide to Delegation"
Luecke and McIntosh


 

Featured Training of the Month


"The Challenges of Becoming a New Manager"


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Bev Rosen

Motivating Wellness at Work has many leadership development programs including "Leadership Styles: Patterns and Possibilities." To learn more, visit our website and click on Leadership Development. 

Or send me a note on the "Contact Me" screen to share the struggles you are having with your staff and I will respond with a 30 minute FREE consultation. 

 

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PeopleMap Training Program
As a certified Peoplemap trainer, Bev Rosen is available to discuss your interest in a Peoplemap program at your organization. Please contact Bev, at Motivating Wellness at Work
Tel: (410) 583-1847
 
May 2010
Greetings!  
 
Ask Bev, the Performance Doctor
Dear Performance Doctor:

I work in a high pressure environment and we have just lost two of our staff.  I think I have an excellent team but I've always felt that if I want something done right, I needed to do it myself.  My staff has been very open that they are very willing to relieve me of some responsibilities but I quasi-delegate to them. I keep checking on how the project is going and frankly, I don't know what I should be delegating and what holds me back in "relinquishing control." 

Can you suggest some solutions?
Your Solution
You are not alone in your difficulty in delegating responsibilities - at least you have this self-awareness and the luck of a trusting team who tells you what they need. "The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and enough self-restraint  to keep from meddling with them while they do it" Theodore Roosevelt.
 
When people walk into my clinic with delegation problems, we look at what delegation means to them, what tasks can be delegated easily, the potential advantages of delegation , the roadblocks that are holding them back and the techniques of how to delegate. Delegation is when a manager or leader transfers authority or shares authority and the responsibility that goes with it to an employee or subordinate. Delegation is not just telling people what to do. With new responsibilities, there must be the authority to carry the tasks out but all must retain accountability for the outcome.

Like any supervisory skill, there are many background facts we need to learn.  There are definite advantages to being a stellar delegator but one needs to know what to delegate and how.
Time is your most precious commodity. No matter how hard you try, you can't do everything by yourself.  But many supervisors avoid delegating responsibilities and the reasons for this vary.

Which rings true for you?

  • Need for power/control
  • Feeling a sense of insecurity
  • Not used to delegating
  • "If you want something done right, do it yourself" mentality
  • Fear being outshined by their employee
  • Fear of subordinate failure (distrust)
  • Situational constraints
  • Non-availability of time
  • The nature of the job - confidential information
So what characteristics are needed to delegate effectively?
  • Integrity
  • Ability to lead others
  • Ability to inspire others
  • Credibility
  • Good character
What are the benefits to the supervisor of effective delegation?
  • Shift workload around to free up time for management
  • Get different views on issues
  • Create an atmosphere of trust and respect
  • Gives your employees something fun and interesting to do
  • Better time management
  • Boost employee moral
  • Job enrichment and learning opportunities
  • Helps in identifying potential leaders
  • Improves team building
  • Employees learn to take responsibility and learn from mistakes
  • Employees are better equipped to handle new issues
In general, what kinds of tasks should a supervisor delegate?
  • Tasks better done by subordinates
  • Urgent,  not high priority tasks
  • Tasks relevant to a subordinate's career
  • Tasks of appropriate difficulty
  • Both pleasant and unpleasant tasks
  • Tasks not central to the manager's role
Finally, what are some things that should not be delegated?
  • Never delegate sensitive projects to your employees
  • If you are in charge of the project because of your expertise, you should complete it yourself
  • If the project is confidential in any way, be very careful about outsourcing the work.
Whatever your feelings, as a manager you need to realize that you are a coach. Coaches must understand the importance of teaching, motivating and taking pride in the performance of their charges. To do this, you must learn how to delegate efficiently and responsibly.
Performance Check-Up

Has this discussion made you think you might need more help on how you are delegating and what mistakes need to be avoided?  Reflect on these issues as next month we will continue this discussion with lessons on "Delegation as a Leadership Style: Tips for the Engaged Delegator."

If you would like to discuss your delegation challenges, call the Performance Doctor, Bev Rosen at (410) 583-1847 for some FREE expert advice.
Until next month, this is the Performance Doctor from Motivating Wellness at Work signing off.
Bev's Signature 
Bev Rosen, MSW, MBA
Motivating Wellness at Work