3 common mistakes leaders make when delegating…
Have you ever delegated a task only to have it NOT be completed or you get the work back & feel disappointed or frustrated because it didn’t meet your expectations?
Maybe you even find yourself thinking, “I should have just done it myself.”
Or, worse yet, you DO do it yourself.
There is more than meets the eye to delegation.
3 mistakes leaders often make when delegating:
1. Delegate and Dump
2. Micromanage
3. Over-function
‘Delegating & dumping’ is passing off a task that needs to be done without setting clear information/expectations, checkpoints, and boundaries.
‘Micromanaging’ is delegating something & then inserting yourself constantly back into the process to check up, ask questions, direct, or control.
‘Overfunctioning’ is focusing more on low pay-off tasks than necessary, aka NOT delegating enough.
Are you guilty of any of the above?
If so, you’re not alone.
As leaders, we don’t always realize that we’re not delegating effectively.
At Executive Impact, we equip leaders with a coach approach to delegating that addresses where the person being delegated to is in their knowledge/experience, development, motivation, etc.
Delegation can be a terrific opportunity to develop the next-level leader and build your leadership bench in the process.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when delegating:
● WHAT is the true scope of the task or project?
● WHY is the project/task important now?
● WHEN is it due and when will you want progress check-ins?
● WHO is the best person for the project?
● WHERE are they in their ability/knowledge/desire to complete it?
● HOW can I use this as a development opportunity for them?
● WHAT do they need from me?
● WHAT do I need from them to be confident in the completion?
Taking some time upfront to think through these questions will save you time & energy.
I encourage you to explore these questions the next time you have an important task to delegate to ensure it gets completed faster & correctly the first time around.