---

Guest post by: Derek Stockley Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

The importance of delegation should not be underestimated. Employees often crave trust and responsibility. Effective delegation meets these and other needs.

I define delegation as:

The assignment of responsibility and accountability for specific outcomes or achievements to a specific individual or organisation unit. The delegation can be temporary or permanent.

Delegation is not the giving out of tasks or 'jobs to be done'. Normally, a delegated task takes more than a short time frame to complete. It does not involve telling people what to do, rather it involves explaining the outcomes and results they are expected to achieve. They are then expected to work out the 'how' and the steps involved.

The manager or team leader making the delegation is still involved, however, the extent of that involvement will vary depending on the existing knowledge and skill levels of the employee receiving the delegation. If the employee is very experienced, the manager’s involvement will be minimal. If the employee is inexperienced, the manager may provide more support, as the delegation is clearly being treated as a development exercise.

In either case, the person receiving the delegation decides what has to be done to achieve the desired result. It is the level of guidance provided by the manager or team leader that varies.

Delegation and motivation.
Many motivational theories point to the importance of accountability and responsibility in determining employee behaviour. Employees feel more involved and engaged if they feel they are being trusted with important responsibilities or activities. If they are required to think about the task, consider alternatives and make choices, the work itself becomes far more rewarding.

Too many team leaders and managers see the allocation of tasks as delegation. Whilst the dividing up and allocation of work tasks is still essential, it should not be confused with delegation. As the delegation definition shows, there is a subtle but important distinction.

Responsibility and accountability are important. So is thinking about the work you are doing. It can make even mundane tasks more interesting.

Rather than delegate many mangers and team leaders state that it is easier to "do it myself". Past delegation failures lead to the belief that "it is quicker and easier to do it myself".

Delegation is not easy. However, that is an excuse rather than a reason.

Today’s work practices encourage a 'do it myself' approach - think for example as to how many people do their own word processing.

If uneven workloads exist, a review of the delegations in place is warranted.

Delegation of authority.
The delegation of authority can be temporary or permanent.

Permanent delegations are often tied to an organisation structure, for example, expenditure approval levels for budget/expense authorisation.

Temporary delegations relate more to development opportunities, where a manager/team leader allocates a responsibility to a team member that normally rests with their manager/team leader role.

Summary and reflection.
Delegation is an important management or team leader activity.

Effective delegation is an important leadership skill. Effective leaders use delegation to balance workloads and provide staff development opportunities. Good delegation creates a positive, motivating environment.

Related Articles

  Delegationg...a Key to Your Success
  Delegating the Right Way
  The Art of Effective Delegation
  Leadership and the Art of Effective Delegation
  What Running a Business is all about
  Is the best manager skill management delegation?
  Classic Delegation Skills Challenges For Managers
  Effective Delegation: The Secret Tool for Growth
  Develop Your Staff With Effective Management Delegation
  Management Training for Effective Delegation
  The Art of Delegating
  PMP Certification: Building a platform for PMP professionals
  The Critical Skill of Delegation
  How to Effectively Delegate
  Delegate to Significantly Increase Your Success
  Delegation
  The Critical Importance Of Manager Delegation
  Common Mistakes Made in Delegating
  Hard Working Entrepreneurs– Are Your Staff Efficient?
  Seven Steps to Delegating for Results

Related Forum Posts

Re: LEADERS
Financial investment plans
Re: Money Does Not Guarantee Happiness
Re: Quote of the Day - ?"Everything happens for a reason and a p
Team Building

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Why Use a Franchise Consultant?

How do you keep it together on a daily basis?

Avoid Burnout: Do the Limbo Regularly

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.