Engineering Journey with Delegation

As software engineers, understanding how decisions are made and how much responsibility we can take on is crucial for our growth. The 7 Levels of Delegation framework offers a clear path for navigating this, helping you see where you stand and how you can progress in your role.

What Are the 7 Levels of Delegation?

The 7 Levels of Delegation is a method that leaders use to determine how much authority to give to their team members. It ranges from the leader making all the decisions to the team member having full control. Here's a breakdown:

1. Tell: Your manager decides and tells you exactly what to do.
2. Sell: Your manager decides but explains why to get your buy-in.
3. Consult: Your manager asks for your input before making a decision.
4. Agree: You and your manager make the decision together.
5. Advise: Your manager advises, but you make the final call.
6. Inquire: You make the decision and inform your manager afterward.
7. Delegate: You have full control over the decision-making process.

How It Applies to You

In an engineering team, from the CTO down to interns, the level of delegation varies:

• CTO: Often operates at Level 7 (Delegate) with senior leaders, trusting them to make key decisions independently.
• Engineering Managers: Typically use Level 4 to 6 (Agree to Inquire), collaborating with tech leads on important decisions while giving them room to act independently.
• Tech Leads: May use Level 3 to 5 (Consult to Advise) with their teams, guiding them while allowing input and autonomy.
• Senior Engineers: Often given Level 4 to 6 (Agree to Inquire) autonomy, making independent decisions with occasional oversight.
• Junior Developers: Usually start at Level 2 to 4 (Sell to Agree), with decisions made by others but gradually taking more responsibility.
• Interns: Typically begin at Level 1 or 2 (Tell to Sell), learning through clear instructions and explanations.

Why It Matters

Understanding where you are in this framework can help you see how your role might evolve. As you gain experience, you’ll likely move up the levels, gaining more responsibility and autonomy. This not only helps in your career growth but also shows your manager that you’re ready to take on bigger challenges.