Don’t Forget to Delegate!

Under-delegating is an epidemic in the workforce—it has been for decades. The do-it-yourself attitude and “go the extra mile” mentalities we’ve all been fed over the years have their place. But if you really want a job done right, you should take advantage of the skillset and strengths of your entire workforce.

Do I Really Need to Delegate?

It can be very easy to want to shoulder all of the burden, or to feel like you’re good enough or skilled enough to handle everything yourself. Don’t! Avoiding delegating isn’t about taking on the world alone—it’s about failing to use the resources available to you effectively.

A properly vetted team should provide you with everything you need in order to take on your work. Without that team, your work quality suffers, your health can suffer, and the team itself suffers.

Delegating Effectively Provides Substantial Benefits

Properly handing out tasks does far more than just easing your burden a bit or instilling confidence in your team – though it certainly does both of these. By learning how to delegate effectively and mastering overseeing – rather than overworking – you stand to enjoy:

• More time to focus on tasks effectively – While everyone values the idea of a multitasker, the truth of the matter is that our brains aren’t wired for it. If you’re juggling ten deadlines and five major projects, you might get them done, but none of them will be at the quality they could be if you had focused on them one at a time. Get your team to handle the parts they excel at while you turn your attention to the fine details.

• Reduce your work stress – Many of us find fulfillment in the workplace. Most of us also find an unhealthy level of stress. Using your team well reduces your workload and stress level, helping you to keep calm and efficient in a healthier way.

• Create a healthier work culture – A team that is working well together is far more likely to feel content and fulfilled with their work. By delegating effectively you’re reducing boredom, helping to develop your team members, and furthering their careers.

• Build up a stronger, more synergistic team – The early days of any team can feel janky and rough. But once everyone is firmly in their niche, and you have a strong understanding of each individual’s skills, you can operate like a happy and efficient machine, hammering through even the toughest assignments with ease.

Support Your Team for Optimal Results

It’s very important to keep in mind that delegating is a symbiosis. If you’re tossing out tasks willy-nilly with no mind for who you are assigning them to, or what they already have on their plate, you’re not delegating—you are demanding. You’ll get poor results and resentment in response, which will give you the opposite of what you’re looking for.

Put your full support behind the team by ensuring everyone has the right resources and information on hand. Also keep in mind to check in from time to time. Avoid simply doling out orders and then opting out of offering guidance. You’re part of the team, too!

And, possibly most importantly, play to your team’s strengths. Assign tasks to those who enjoy and have a knack for them to optimize workflow and engagement.

With a mastery of delegation, you can find that your workplace is a smooth, consistent, and happy place to be. Keep at it, and your skills as a leader and a coach will vastly improve! Your team will thank you, your higher-ups will thank you, and you will thank yourself!