subject: The Art of Delegation - What Every Leader Needs [print this page] The Art of Delegation - What Every Leader Needs
A leader's main responsibility is to get work done through other people, and the most effective way is through delegation. Proper delegation magnifies your performance by using the experience, knowledge and creativity of others.
Many leaders do not delegate properly because of fear that the work may not have the same quality as if they had done it themselves. Many of us have heard the term if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. This way of thinking will only burden a manager and put a strain on their time management. It may even affect their work quality in the long run. Sometimes it is not the quality they are concerned with but the time and effort it will take to train someone but remember you were not always knowledgeable and someone took the time for you.
Managers and supervisors should work on items and tasks that require perfection and delegatethose that only eighty to ninety percent efficiency is required. This will increase the abilities of people and will help with the growth of the company as well as the leader.
Leaders may have a fear that if they delegate and train well that the employees may replace them in the future. This is actually a misconception because a good organization will look highly on the leaders and managers who develop the abilities and creativity of people that as a result increases productivity. Leaders will then be up for promotion not replacement and be a very valuable asset.
To help with delegation make a list of the work and tasks you do. Separate them in categories such as tasks that can be eliminated, work others can do, work that can you can simplify, and work that you must do personally yourself.
For the list of your own activities be real with yourself and eliminate and delegate. Once you do this you have more time to give to your vital tasks and projects. For the list you delegate make sure you choose the workers carefully. This may help with your time in training and completing by choosing the right people. Make sure you let them know why you are delegating and train them where it is necessary.
Productivity is achieved by good leadership. As you develop and refine your skills you will notice growing pains for both you and the employees. This is just a part of the process and experience that leads you and your team to success. The whole company benefits from it.
