Optimal Productivity Through Delegation
Delegation is a superpower.
In previous blogs I posted about how to uncover your high value activities, to calculate your hourly rate, and to eliminate tasks through Zero-Based thinking. We also included considering Urgent and Important. This blog will explore a few more secrets to optimal productivity.
Delegation is a superpower. Not all people are comfortable delegating, and many are unsure (or inexperienced) on how to do this effectively.
Delegation starts with awareness. Once you know your high value activities, and your hourly rate, you can decide what tasks you want to delegate.
Effective Delegation Strategies
Explore practical strategies for effective delegation to enhance productivity and efficiency:
Delegate to someone with demonstrated competence. This does not mean they may be as capable at the task as you are, but it does mean they are likely to be successful at it. Don’t set people up to fail by assigning them things they aren’t capable of.
Be clear. Clarity will build trust and get you towards your intended outcome. Describe or document the outcome you need as clearly as possible. Explain the importance of the task so they understand both the “what” and the “why.”
Set a deadline. Not just “some time next week” but something clear with an outlined deliverable.
Establish benchmarks. This will help you gauge progress. How will they report back to you on this task and at what frequency?
Agree on resources. Do they have all the resources they need to complete the task? What resources are required, and do they have permission to access them?
Agree on consequences. What are the consequences of completion and of non completion? Discuss these and ensure that both are meaningful to the person completing the task and to you as someone that needs it completed.
Put the arrangements in writing. Make a new system or process, or if needed, put it into a contract of sorts with required signatures. Maybe there is a project plan that needs to be completed so all the deadlines, resources, and consequences are included?
Inspect what you expect. Don’t just delegate and move on. Delegating effectively requires some oversight and monitoring of both process and outcomes.
Overcoming Delegation Challenges
One of the biggest reasons you might avoid delegating is because you don’t feel that you have effective or capable staff. If this is true, first, reflect on how this impacts your business and if you need to find staff to rely on, but second, consider outsourcing the work. Outsourcing is always an option, and can still be completed for less than your own hourly rate.
Want to learn more? Let’s connect.
Adapted from “Effectiveness 2.6 Effective Delegation Part 1” by FocalPoint Coaching and Training Excellence, Copyright 2018, by Brian Tracy and Campbell Fraser. Reprinted with permission.
