Learn why and how to delegate and shift from overwhelmed to overachieving.
Many leaders grapple with delegation. In fact, delegation might be the toughest leadership skill to master. To tackle it, start by understanding the challenges.
COMMON DELEGATION BARRIERS & SOLUTIONS
In initial leadership phases, leaders often don’t delegate tasks. This is because many don’t recognize they should control their work instead of being dictated to by the business. Real delegation commences when leaders acknowledge the necessity of different work methods and understand that most delegation barriers are self-created.
Right Person, Right Seat
- PROBLEM: The predominant challenge with delegation is not having apt individuals in suitable positions. Without the ideal team, leaders hesitate to delegate tasks.
- SOLUTION: Leaders should establish an accountability chart that serves the organization optimally. By prioritizing structure over individuals, leaders can detect any misalignments in roles and rectify them promptly.
Process & Data Deficiencies
- PROBLEM: Absence of structured processes makes leaders retain tasks. Undocumented tasks, combined with insufficient data, prevent effective delegation.
- SOLUTION: Document core processes, clarifying roles and handovers. This, coupled with a comprehensive scorecard, offers clarity on task success.
Ego Constraints
- PROBLEM: Ego can be a double-edged sword. Excessive ego can make leaders want to be the central figure, while insufficient ego can result in them overburdening themselves for the sake of the team.
- SOLUTION: Recognize and address ego concerns. Understanding team members’ skills and passions makes delegation smoother. Over time, these ego challenges diminish.
NEXT LEVEL DELEGATION
STEP 1: Define your 100% — the maximum number of hours per week you want to work and still remain balanced.
STEP 2: Determine if you’re over capacity — the time needed to do everything well exceeds your 100%.
STEP 3: List everything you do everyday — each and every activity, big and small.
STEP 4: Create two columns — column one is where you list everything you love/like to do and are great/good at, and column two is where you list everything remaining.
STEP 5: Delegate and elevate — delegate the excess capacity items in the second column. This makes you more valuable and happier — making you a much better leader for your people.
Source: EOS Worldwide
THE POWER OF DELEGATION
The goal is to help leaders work on tasks they’re passionate about. By concentrating on what they love and delegating other responsibilities, leaders amplify their organization’s strength.
