Why you need to delegate: Takeaways from Sports

If you would ask me to lead my martial arts class tomorrow in my coach's absence, I’d feel confident to do a pretty good job.

?And that’s not tooting my own horn, but rather praising my coaches, seniors and their leadership practice of delegation.

You see when we train in large groups, the head coach always splits us into two for dedicated focus and efficiency’s sake. He then entrust (with trust being the operative word here) I or another experienced member to lead one of the groups, following his instructions.

This is how delegation begins. It starts with trust.

And so if you would ask me to lead my martial arts class tomorrow in my coach's absence, I would simply honor his trust by following (or adapting) the lessons and instructions of my head coach.

Delegation is at the cornerstone of good leadership. It always starts with trust, and if done right, it ensures that every team member operates at their best.

For obvious reasons in both sports and business, no single person can do it all (unless you're Elon Musk that is). The most successful leaders know how to delegate strategically, placing trust in their team while holding them accountable.

Let’s look at how delegation can work in sports and how you can use it to build up your teams.

Trust in the Corner

In fighting sports like boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA), delegation begins before the training camp even does. Coaches like Javier Mendez (trainer for Khabib Nurmagomedov) helps in building a support team of nutritionists, physiotherapists, and sparring partners. These professionals are tasked with preparing the fighter physically and mentally for bouts. They study their opponent's previous fights looking for flaws in technique they can exploit, they structure key components of his/her "pre-season training" etc.

Despite the well-rounded experience some high level coaches may possess, it would be impossible for them to cover all necessary aspects of a fighters needs, so they must find ways to “multiply” their knowledge or seek complimentary support. In comes delegation.

It goes without saying for seasoned leaders, but important to remind also, that a leader’s role is not to micromanage every detail but to ensure the right experts are in place for each task.

Engaging your team to take ownership of their areas while providing the level of oversight you're all comfortable with is key.

Quick Tip: Assign key projects based on strengths and areas of expertise in your team. Use tools like RACI matrices to clarify roles and responsibilities making sure no overlap or encroaching on others' areas of work is possible.

Football Substitutions: Adaptability in Real-Time

Football managers like Jurgen Klopp are known for making tactical substitutions to adapt to dynamic game situations. Klopp’s ability to rotate players during high-pressure matches ensures his team stays fresh and effective across an intense schedule.

Even though he was heavily criticized at times for making ineffective substitutions, his side currently boast the most goals scored or assisted by players off the bench. ?

Klopp’s rotation strategies were analyzed here , should you be interested in reading more.

Delegation involves recognizing when to “substitute” roles to optimize performance. If a team member struggles, consider reshuffling roles rather than overburdening them.

Quick Tip: On top of maintaining a Skills Matrix, conduct regular one-on-ones to assess team capacity and adapt roles based on changing circumstances. Make sure you communicate intensively the changes to gain buy-in and avoid trust erosion.

Delegation is also a measure of personal confidence and team Morale

In fighting sports, coaches often rotate responsibilities among team members to keep fighters motivated and engaged. During Khabib Nurmagomedov’s undefeated UFC career, his team of coaches and training partners frequently took on various roles, from sparring partners to tactical advisors as it's clear to see from training camp video footage or again in the corner come fight night. This inclusive approach not only maintains morale but also reinforces Khabib’s sense of teamwork.

Delegation can enhance morale by making every team member feel valued. When individuals see their contributions recognized, they are more likely to remain engaged and committed to the organization’s success.

?Quick Tip: Rotate responsibilities for a routine task among team members to build a sense of ownership and engagement.

Delegation can become essential to Succession Planning

In sports, succession planning is obvious to see when senior athletes mentor junior players to ensure a seamless transition or "passing of the torch", as you will. Take tennis great Roger Federer, who has often shared advice with younger players while building a legacy that inspires the next generation (ironically, like his rival Nadal).

In the documentary "Federer: 12 Final Days" , when preparing his retirement, you see an exiting champion showing the world his out of court close relationship with rival Rafael Nadal. In several emotionally charged "passing of the torch" moments, Federer chooses to play his final game with Nadal during the Laver cup but also chooses to lift up other upcoming tennis stars which will carry on the flame.

Delegation is not just about today’s tasks—it’s about preparing your team players for the future. Prepare successors and trust them to take the reins when needed.

Quick Tip: Identify potential leaders in your team and involve them in strategic discussions to build their decision-making skills and confidence to challenge managerial roles.

Delegating for organizational Resilience?

Ensuring athletes rest and recover is as important as their active training. Managers like Gareth Southgate prioritize giving players time off during grueling schedules to maintain physical and mental well-being. In that respect, delegating responsibilities ensures continuity when key team members take leave.

Delegate responsibilities ahead of time to ensure operations remain smooth during employee absences. Build a culture of trust so employees feel comfortable taking much-needed breaks.

Quick Tip: Create a leave contingency plan that lists alternate points of contact for critical functions.

Delegation’s ROI: The Long-Term Payoff

In boxing, trainers like Freddie Roach often prepare assistants to take on larger roles over time. This strategy ensures continuity in coaching even when the head trainer is unavailable. For example, during some of Roach’s absences due to illness, his assistants have successfully maintained training regimens, ensuring fighters remain competitive.

Delegation is an investment in your organization’s future. It requires initial effort to mentor and guide team members, but the long-term benefits—such as improved efficiency, enhanced skills, and organizational resilience—are invaluable.

Quick Tip: Evaluate the performance of a delegated task and use the insights to improve your delegation strategy.

Share this article with your colleagues and start delegating smarter.

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