How to Delegate: A Guide for Aspiring Leaders, Managers, and Entrepreneurs

Leadership is an important aspect of any successful business, and it takes a certain set of skills and traits to effectively lead a team.

One of the most significant challenges faced by entrepreneurs is the art of delegation, which is the process of assigning tasks and responsibilities to others.

According to a recent survey conducted by Gallup, the biggest challenge faced by entrepreneurs when it comes to delegation is trust.

According to Gallup, CEOs with high Delegator talent generated 33% greater revenue than those with low or limited levels of the talent: $8 million versus $6 million, respectively.

Greater growth and higher revenues also enabled these entrepreneurs to create more jobs at a faster rate. Companies led by those with high Delegator talent, on average, created 21 jobs in three years, compared with 17 new jobs in three years for those with lower levels of Delegator talent.

Entrepreneurs often have a hard time letting go of control and entrusting tasks to others. They are often worried that their employees may not perform the task as they would, which can result in mistakes or a drop in quality.

However, effective delegation is key to growing a business. It allows entrepreneurs to focus on their strengths and delegate the rest, freeing up time and energy to focus on more important tasks. It also provides opportunities for employees to develop their skills and grow within the company.

How to Delegate

To tackle the challenge of delegation, entrepreneurs need to cultivate a positive leadership style that promotes teamwork and fosters an environment of trust.

A great way to do this is to focus on building relationships with employees, encouraging open communication, and providing clear instructions and feedback.

It’s important for entrepreneurs to recognize that delegating does not mean giving up control. Instead, it’s about setting clear expectations and providing support and guidance when necessary.

Entrepreneurs should also be transparent about their goals and expectations, and make sure that employees understand their role in achieving these goals.

Setting Boundaries

Another aspect of effective delegation is setting clear boundaries and prioritizing tasks. Entrepreneurs should prioritize tasks based on their level of importance and urgency, and delegate tasks accordingly.

This helps employees understand what they need to focus on, and eliminates confusion and miscommunication.

Moreover, effective delegation requires providing employees with the necessary resources and support to complete the task. If you’re trying to delegate, you should provide your employees with training, tools, and guidance to help them perform their tasks effectively. This not only ensures that tasks are completed correctly but also helps employees grow and develop professionally.

Six Key Differences Between Delegators and Non-Delegators

One of the best ways to develop strong delegation skills is to learn from other successful leaders. Entrepreneurs can take inspiration from leaders who have built successful businesses by effectively delegating tasks and responsibilities to their employees. They can also seek guidance from mentors or attend leadership workshops and training programs.

The Gallup report identifies six key differences between leaders with high Delegator talent and those with lower or limited Delegator talent.

Here are the differences, as mentioned in this excerpt from Gallup’s original report:

• Delegators know that they can’t accomplish everything themselves. They are willing to relinquish control and hand tasks to others. This frees up their time to focus on activities that can yield the highest returns for the company. Non-Delegators — those with low or limited Delegator talent — can become so lost in day-to-day activities that they rarely have enough time to focus on actions vital to their company’s growth.
• Delegators develop team capacity using a strengths-based approach. They take the time to understand what their people naturally do best, and then position them to take on tasks at which they are most likely to excel. This motivates and engages employees, increases productivity and benefits the entire business. Non-Delegators often don’t understand their employees’ strengths and capabilities, which leads them to push the proverbial square pegs into round holes.
• Delegators ensure that employees have everything they need to do their jobs. They provide employees tools, resources, training and learning opportunities; they genuinely care about each employee’s growth. Non-Delegators are impatient and unable to give employees everything they need to accomplish the tasks to which they are assigned.
• Delegators focus on outcomes, not processes. They set clear expectations about everything from timing to budget to deliverables, and they monitor progress, affecting employee commitment, boosting morale and influencing company performance. Non-Delegators micromanage and fail to set clear expectations, leaving employees confused and frustrated in their work.
• Delegators encourage new ideas and approaches to accomplishing goals. They foster psychological ownership and engagement among employees by giving them autonomy to achieve their goals. Non-Delegators do not trust others to do things as well as they themselves can. They hinder growth by centralizing and controlling decision-making at every turn.
• Delegators communicate frequently with employees. They provide feedback about what works and what doesn’t, and they recognize employees for a job well done, all fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Non-Delegators don’t provide constructive feedback, but rather they are quick to assign blame. This can demoralize employees and create a dysfunctional environment that hampers productivity and growth.

In conclusion, effective delegation is crucial for the success of any business, and it is a challenge that entrepreneurs must overcome. To become effective leaders, entrepreneurs need to focus on building trust with their employees, setting clear boundaries and priorities, and providing necessary resources and support. By doing so, entrepreneurs can successfully delegate tasks and responsibilities, freeing up time and energy to focus on more important tasks and grow their businesses.

About the Author: Jamie Turner is an internationally recognized author, professor, consultant, and speaker who has helped employees at The Coca-Cola Company, Holiday Inn, Microsoft, Verizon and others do a better job leading, managing, and mentoring others. To have him speak at your event or organization, email him at: Jamie@JamieTurner.Live