The Power of Delegation – Cashews or Peanuts?

In this week’s edition of the Bharat ke SMEs newsletter, we dive into a topic that hits home for every entrepreneur: the art of delegation.

As Mukul Goyal engages in a conversation with Gaurav VK Singhvi —serial entrepreneur, angel investor, startup mentor, and advocate for smart delegation—one phrase in particular stands out:

"If you give cashew nuts, you will get a man; if you give peanuts, you will only get monkeys."

This insightful metaphor from Gauravji illustrates a key principle in entrepreneurship—the quality of people you empower directly determines the success of your business.

This truth resonates particularly in the context of India’s MSMEs, where efficient delegation often means the difference between growth and stagnation.

The Art of Delegation for MSMEs: Why it Matters?

Delegation is one of the greatest challenges for entrepreneurs, especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Many founders struggle to trust others with critical tasks, fearing that handing over control will lead to mistakes.

However, as Gaurav VK Singhvi shares, delegation is not just about offloading work—it’s about empowerment.

By giving the right responsibilities to the right people (cashew nuts), you nurture leaders who can drive your business forward even in your absence.

A prime example from Gaurav’s journey shows how one of his businesses, which he personally invested less than five hours in, achieved its highest-ever revenue through strategic delegation. This is the true power of leveraging talent and building trust within your organization.

Delegation with Empowerment: What MSMEs Can Learn?

For many MSMEs in India, the reluctance to delegate stems from a mindset rooted in control and perfectionism. However, entrepreneurs who master delegation understand that sustainable growth doesn’t come from doing everything themselves—it comes from building systems and trusting teams.

According to Gauravji, the best delegators focus on three core strategies:

1. Identify key players: Know who deserves the cashews and give them the resources and authority to make decisions.
2. Build a culture of trust: Empower your employees, so they feel responsible for the business's success.
3. Let go of perfectionism: It’s better to have 100% effort from a trusted team than 100% control over small tasks.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Delegators

Drawing from Stephen Covey’s legendary “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, here are seven habits that MSMEs can adopt to excel in the art of delegation:

1. Be Proactive: Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Delegate before you hit a bottleneck.
2. Begin with the End in Mind: Communicate the long-term vision with your team, so they’re aligned with your goals.
3. Put First Things First: Prioritize tasks that you, as the leader, need to focus on—and delegate the rest.
4. Think Win-Win: Empower employees with tasks that will develop their skills and grow your business.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Take the time to know your team's strengths before handing them responsibilities.
6. Synergize: Collaborate with your team to combine strengths and achieve results you couldn’t on your own.
7. Sharpen the Saw: Continuously train and upskill your team, so they’re equipped to handle greater responsibilities.

Ready to Delegate Like a Pro?

Delegation isn’t just a business strategy; it’s a mindset. As Gaurav VK Singhvi explains, the more you invest in the right people and let go of control, the more you empower your business to thrive—even when you're not there.

Are you ready to stop giving peanuts and start offering cashew nuts to your key people?

?? Tune in to this week's episode of "Bharat Ke SMEs" and learn more about how to master the art of delegation directly from Gaurav VK Singhvi.

Discover how you can free up your time and empower your team to drive growth. Listen Now!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more insights into how India’s MSMEs can unlock growth through leadership, innovation, and smart strategies.