5 Secrets Of Delegation (Work | Home) By Dr. Karyn Gordon

How many times have you told yourself that it’s just quicker to do a job rather than delegating it to someone else? Or thought that it was simply too much hassle to have to tell a co-worker or family member how to do a certain task? If you’re like the majority of people, we have a vague idea that delegation works but we either don’t have the time, energy, or know-how to do it well―so we usually don’t!

I get it. Delegation is a critical skill for all of us to develop and one that many struggle with. I’m not a natural delegator―but I’m personally motivated to master this skill for 2 reasons. First, I’ve learned that for our company to grow, delegation is essential. Second, I want to help our teens develop their own leadership skills―and these skills are foundational. 

According to research from the London Business School, only 30% of managers think they delegate well and of that number, only one in three of their staff consider them to be good delegators. That’s a major problem!

The art of good delegation doesn’t have to remain a mystery and can easily be applied within your home and to your team at work if you follow these 5 secret tips.

#1:       Understand The Importance Of Delegation 

To be able to delegate well, you first need to acknowledge why it needs doing. While it certainly makes your life easier―maximizing your time and energy―it is also important for those being delegated to. Not only do people generally thrive when given more responsibility, but in the case of younger people, whether your kids or coworkers, it builds confidence and encourages team spirit. 

#2:       Identify Your Strengths & Those Of Your Team

Knowing what you’re good at and, maybe even more importantly, what energizes you, is vital to the act of delegation. What you might find tiresome or exhausting may be the complete opposite for someone else on your team. So it comes down to more than just handing off the jobs you’d like to avoid; finding out what makes someone else ‘tick’ and delegating appropriately might be just the thing they need to shine in a certain position.  

#3:       Invest In Training

Taking the time to train people properly is probably one of the most important investments you can make when delegating. Simply assuming that someone can do a job or can figure it out may just cause confusion. Instead, give specific instructions, be present and approachable for any questions that may arise, and remember that, although it would be nice, no-one can read your mind! I repeat: no-one can read your mind! If results matter to you, training is critical for both work and family teams. 

#4:       Expect A Few Bumps

Anytime we introduce a new way of doing things, whether at work or at home, we should always expect that there will be a few bumps along the way. While giving proper instruction will significantly reduce this, there will be a time of adjustment for everyone, so expect there will be a “season” of training and explaining your expectations. Literally as I’m writing this, I hear the sound of glass breaking in the kitchen (I’m not joking―this just happened!) My teen son―who I have delegated the job of cleaning the kitchen―has broken a glass. I remind him that while most dishes can go in the dishwasher, there are a few that cannot, or they will break. We clean it up together, I thank him for cleaning up and tell him I love his helpful spirit. It ends on a positive note (minus the one glass?). Remind yourself to expect these bumps. In the short-term, there will be errors, but in the big picture it will save you time and energy while building the confidence of those around you. Focus on the big picture.

#5:       Give Ongoing Feedback

Even the most confident people need positive reinforcement when learning something new, so being there to provide constructive feedback is vital when delegating. Identifying areas that need work and giving advice in a friendly, casual way ensures that team and family members are encouraged to keep trying. People in general―and kids in particular―are usually eager to please. Try telling them what they’ve done well before mentioning the areas that need work, and this will put them in a positive frame of mind and make them more likely to respond well to your suggestions. 

Remember―in the beginning, delegation may seem like a mammoth task, but the energy and time you’ll gain will make it worth every minute.  By developing this delegation skill, you’ll soon find that your work and home life run more smoothly and everyone feels like a valued member of the team!