HOW TO DELEGATE
Do you do everything yourself? Do you do everything yourself because you need to feel in control? It might be that you have a hard time delegating your work! The most successful delegators are expert, self-disciplined managers who are efficient at selecting tasks to delegate, and still able to monitor and provide positive feedback to each delegate!
The first step is a logical step. Before you can improve your delegating techniques, you must be able to decide what you are willing to give up. This process involves assessing your time. You must look at your time and then look at the time of your subordinates. You then need to group and prioritize your activities.
The way you, as a manager, distribute your work and how much time you allocate is probably still under your control. Start your analysis by keeping a detailed time log for at least two weeks; note every activity and how much time you spent on that activity. You are likely to find that there is little time spent on the high level activities in which only You can do! Much more of your time will have been taken up by the every day routine activities that could have been delegated!
When you break down your tasks you need to make 3 lists. The following list is an example:
1. 1 – “What tasks am I doing that need not be done at all?”
2. 2 – “What am I doing that could be done by someone else?”
3. 3 – “What tasks am I doing that can only be done by me?”
Once you have completed your list it should be relatively easy to see what activities you should be able to delegate. Use this breakdown as a basis for reducing any unnecessary activities, delegating more tasks, and concentrating on tasks that only you can complete.
In Management, time is precious and time is money! If you can learn to “let go” —even just a little, you will be amazed at the difference it will have on your life!
Nancy Phillips, CPC
