9 golden rules of delegation

Delegation is deciding on tasks that you will hand over to someone on the team, and ones which you will leave to yourself. Although we think that delegation is transferring tasks, it is more than that. Delegation means giving a member of your team the authority to lead the task and thereby authorizing him to do so on your behalf. Although the task is led by someone else, it is important to note that you are still responsible for the outcome of that task.

1. Transmit complete information.

This includes relevant information a person may need to perform a task; the degree of freedom and judgment you expect the other person to use, and communication to make sure there is a complete understanding between the people involved. (The person to whom he or she is delegated should express his or her wishes and needs concerning that task.)

2. Delegate authority as well as responsibility.

When authority is retained, it gives a signal that I, as the one delegating, either don’t believe it or don’t want to lose control. In both cases, delegation can be fraught with difficulties.

3. Set performance standards

Communicate the expected results and include such parameters as quality, quantity, deadlines and costs. When this makes sense, those to whom authority and responsibility have been delegated should have a role to play in agreeing on standards.

4. Establish control

Another way to say this is to establish a process of calling to account. The process could include personal checks, feedback from the client, status reports, etc.

5. Challenge your co-workers

Encourage the delegate to take some risks, thus allowing staff to develop through greater responsibility and freedom.

6. Provide adequate training programme and development

There are many options available to make sure this happens: guidance, the opportunity to collaborate with a more experienced staff member on specific tasks, creating a team, and more formal learning opportunities.

7. Support your co-workers

Don’t undermine them with decisions they can make once both authority and responsibility have been delegated to them.

8. Delegate: don’t just get rid of certain obligations!

If you see delegation as an opportunity to get rid of all those not-so-dear commitments while keeping all the interesting ones, you may soon encounter the revolt of co-workers.

9. Don’t give up your responsibilities as a supervisor

Delegating responsibilities and competencies associated with it does not mean the person delegating is not responsible as supervisor.