3. Try delegating small tasks first – to build your trust when delegating, start with small and less important tasks to build up your confidence that people can follow your instructions.
4. Create a template for task delegation – write down specific details of the action, the date and time required, relevant documentation that relates to the task and the interested parties in the task. Explain this to the person you are delegating to, then check off the completed task against your template or written instructions.
5. Ask the person to repeat their understanding to you – once you have delegated the task ask the person to describe back to you (in their own words), what the task is and how it is to be completed. At this point you can clarify any misunderstandings.
6. Communicate your expectations – people don’t read minds. Be clear if you have expectations, explain these in detail and once again get the person to repeat them back to you. If you have a certain way of doing something and you want that repeated – make that very clear.
7. Set clear timeframes – be specific about when you want the task or activity completed. Be specific about the date and time and provide the reasons why this is required. Often when delegating we get frustrated because people don’t complete things in the same time we do, understand while people are learning it may take more time.
8. Give feedback – once the task is completed let the person know how they performed according to your instructions, expectations and timeframes.
9. Reward the delegate and congratulate yourself – take time to recognize their achievement through praise or an appropriate reward. Congratulate yourself for trusting someone else to complete activities or tasks you would normally complete yourself.
10. Release control – recognize you can’t do everything all the time and you may benefit from the help of others – learn to delegate.
Remember delegating will help boost your productivity and help you focus on more important tasks while still achieving results – challenge yourself to delegate something today.
This article was written by our friend and partner, Neen James, a leading productivity expert from Australia. She has worked with many organizations to boost their performance through communications and message management. She has numerous articles on productivity available on her website at www.neenjames.com. |