Theodore Roosevelt said, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good (people) to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”
There comes a point when doing more gets less done, when adding work doesn’t enhance your career it hinders it.
Successful leaders learn the less they do the more they get done. Completing projects and tasks takes you up the ladder. Delegating keeps you there.
5 Delegating principles:
- Delegate tasks – retain responsibility.
- Begin with end results. Define success not the steps to get there. General Patton said, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”
- When its relevant, explain meaning and purpose. Answer questions like: Who are we making happy? How will they be happy? Why are we making them happy? If your projects aren’t making someone happy, it’s likely you’re misdirected and ineffective.
- Always agree on deliverables and deadlines. Deadlines create urgency and relieve uncertainty. An assigned task without a deadline is an option.
- Delegate authority; authorize qualified people to make decisions.
4 Reasons you don’t delegate:
- You have a trust issue. Chances are fear drives your life.
- You have a glory issue; you want it for yourself.
- You have a training issue; you aren’t equipping your people.
- You have a hiring/firing issue; you have the wrong people.
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What are the challenges of delegating?
What are the key factors for successful delegating practices?
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