Here's how you can master the art of delegating tasks and responsibilities as a leader.

Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your team members is important; and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the team as a whole is equally important. Having a collection of brilliant attackers and no defence is not a balanced team. Often the team lead ends up picking up the slack from the weaknesses pool. There are some great tools for this - Belbin Team Roles is one. Once you have this picture, you know as the leader that all bases are covered, so when needed, you have the right person to delegate to, rather than covering the gaps in the team. Delegation is not abdication. When giving a responsibility to a capable person, as the leader it is also your responsibility to ensure they have the right support from you!

Understand the strengths, weaknesses, and preferences of each team member. Knowing your team enables you to delegate tasks effectively, matching responsibilities with the right individuals. Tip: Schedule one-on-one meetings with each team member to discuss their skills, interests, and career goals. Use this information to tailor task assignments and empower your team members to excel in their roles.

Clearly define the objectives and expectations for each delegated task. Setting clear goals ensures alignment and empowers team members to take ownership of their responsibilities. Tip: Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) when setting goals. Communicate the purpose, scope, and desired outcomes of each task to provide clarity and direction for your team.

Equip your team with the necessary tools, information, and support to accomplish their delegated tasks successfully. Providing resources minimizes barriers to success and enhances productivity. Tip: Conduct a resource assessment to identify any gaps or deficiencies that may hinder task completion. Invest in training, technology, or additional support as needed to set your team up for success.

Hold your team members accountable for their delegated tasks while providing guidance and support along the way. Accountability fosters responsibility and drives performance. Tip: Establish clear expectations for progress updates and deadlines. Implement regular check-ins to monitor progress, address any challenges, and provide feedback. Encourage open communication and a culture of accountability within your team to promote mutual support and growth.

To delegate, a leader needs to be able to trust their team to complete tasks that the leader may think they can do themselves. Delegation also requires understanding team's skills, motivations, needs and areas of development needs, so that the leader can accurately assess and distribute responsibilities. Building trust requires intentional effort to get to know the team members at a deeper level and willing to give time and attention to do so. Many leaders fail to understand that delegation not only empowers their team but it also opens up so much time and energy for the leader to focus on strategic goals. Which crates win win situation for the leader and the team members.

El papel del leader debe ser servicial, no autoritario para ser efectivo. Practicar la escucha activa del grupo y crear espacios de trabajo colaborativo con gestión transversal y no lineal ayuda a que el knowhow de todas las personas fortalezca al equipo.