Delegation
Delegation is sharing responsibilities within an organization
and its members. It is giving someone the responsibility and
authority to do something that may be normally part of your
job.
Why Delegate?
- Members become more involved and committed
- More projects and activities are undertaken
- Larger chance projects will be completed on time
- More opportunities for members to develop leadership
skills
- Organization runs more smoothly
- Leadership roles become filled with qualified and experienced
people
Excuses for not Delegating
- "I could do it better myself"
- "She messed up last time so I won't give her anything
else"
- "I don't know if I can trust her to do it"
- "He isn't qualified"
- "He has enough to do already"
- "I'm the only person who knows how to do this"
How do I Delegate?
- Choose what to delegate-projects and tasks with the
following characteristics are good to delegate
- All information necessary to complete the task is
available
- Tasks that make sense and not too many random bits and pieces
of a project
- Tasks and responsibilities that keep repeating themselves
- When someone expresses an interest in a task or has skills that
match the task
- Choose the right person to delegate to
- Consider the skills and interests of each member to see who
would be the best fit
- Be sure to consider a person's available time and work
habits
- Explain to the person why they were considered for and assigned
the task
- Spread tasks around-don't always give certain people the "fun"
tasks
- Communicate what you want done
- Fully inform the person of any information and direction they
need for the project
- Give background information as to why their task, which may be
viewed as menial, is important and necessary
- Be sure to ask the person if they are up for the task and
willing to complete it
- Follow up
- Establish checkpoints throughout the course of a project to
check-in and make sure things are going smoothly
- Trust the person to do the job and do not look over their
shoulder throughout the process
- Make yourself extra available to members at the beginning of a
project for initial questions
- Give recognition and credit
- Communicate and share with the group the work the person has
done
- Be sure to reward members for the positive results they
produce
- Never take credit for work you did not do!