Quick List of Five Delegating Do’s

After delegating to your team, they should feel empowered and essential. However, all too often leaders leave their people feeling dumped on, frustrated, and inconsequential.

Here’s a quick list of suggestions to keep in mind when distributing work to those you lead. By applying these tips, you’ll be able to accomplish more by getting the best from the people reporting to you.

1) Frame the assignment in a positive light

Cast vision for why the project has value, while casting vision for the value the person brings to the assignment.

2) Budget time to teach and train

Hurry undermines your efforts to delegate in two ways. First, when you’re rushed, you’re likely to forget to communicate much-needed instructions. Second, when moving with too much haste, your nonverbal cues tell the person you’re training that they’re not valuable.

3) Give permission for your people to ask questions or request assistance

Don’t assume the people on your team have residency inside of your brain. They don’t share your vantage point or inside information. Pause to bring them up to speed on a project by sharing its background and context, and let them know that you’re available to help if they encounter snags.

4) Avoid micromanagement

You can’t do it all by yourself, so don’t try. Spending time looking over the shoulders of those you lead is not only inefficient, but it also de-motivates your team by discounting their abilities.

5) Provide Accountability

In the words of Ronald Reagan, “trust but verify.” From the outset, make clear the results you’re expecting and the ways you’ll measure them. Then, follow-up periodically to make sure tasks are on track.