Karen Susman Article - How to Delegate

How to Delegate ©

By Karen Susman

DELEGATE = ENTRUST

Pick the most junior person who can do the job.

DEFINE the project: purpose, importance deadlines and scope of responsibility. What priority does this task have? What would great work/results look like?
SUPPORT: Describe what kind of support you can provide and ask what support will be needed.
AUTHORITY: Define what degree of authority and autonomy the delegatee will have. Is it, “Look into this, gather information and report to me so I can make a decision.” Or, is it “Take care of it and let me know when you’ve handled it?”
ASK YOURSELF: Is there enough budget, people power, materials, resources, training and/or time for the delegatee to do the job?
DELEGATE FOR RESULTS: Set standards of performance for results, not methods (where possible). Monitor. Give feedback.
GIVE CREDIT.

ALSO…

End reverse delegation. Ask for solutions to problems. Encourage decision making and brainstorming.
Support a climate where people can be different and/or goof up.
Delegation means you are still responsible.
Assign tasks by requesting instead of ordering.
Remember: Define - Prioritize – Support – Give Authority – Monitor – Praise

Karen Susman, Speaker/Author/Coach, works with organizations and individuals that want to maximize their performance and quality of life. Check out her free tips and articles at www.karensusman.com. Karen can be reached at 1-888-678-8818 or karen@karensusman.com.