Lesson 5: Delegation Is Not Laziness
Delegation Is Not Laziness
New leaders almost always try to do everything themselves. Delegation multiplies what you can accomplish and develops the people around you at the same time.
Why Leaders Do Not Delegate
- It is faster if I just do it myself, true now, terrible long-term
- Nobody else will do it right, maybe true, but whose fault is that?
- I feel guilty giving people more work, then you will burn out and help nobody
- I like doing this task, valid, but is it the best use of your time?
How to Actually Delegate
Step 1: Be clear about the outcome, not the method. Tell them what done looks like, not exactly how to do it. Micromanaging is delegation that does not trust itself.
Step 2: Match the task to the person. Give people tasks that stretch them slightly beyond their comfort zone.
Step 3: Check in, do not hover. Set a checkpoint then step back.
Step 4: Give credit publicly. When they do it well, say so in front of others. This is the part most leaders skip and it is the part that makes people want to do it again.
Try This Today
- Identify one thing you are currently doing that someone else could and should be doing
- Practice explaining a task by describing the outcome instead of the steps
- Give someone more responsibility than they expect and watch what happens