The world is moving toward automation at a fast pace. Workplaces are gearing up to include automation to increase productivity. As an increasing number of organizations make moves to outsource and delegate tasks to new-age virtual assistants and operations managers, there is a race among others to emulate the same in their routines.

As a manager, you are likely responsible for a lot of different tasks and projects. While it may be tempting to try to do everything yourself, this is not an effective use of your time. Learning how to delegate can help you Simplify your work process and get more done in less time.

Delegation is the process of assigning responsibility for a task or project to another person. This can be an effective way to free up your time and energy so that you can focus on more important tasks. When done correctly, Delegation can also help to develop the skills of your team members.

There are a few things to keep in mind when delegating tasks. First, you need to make sure that the person you are assigning the task to is capable of completing it. Second, you need to provide clear instructions and expectations. Finally, you need to follow up to make sure that the task is being completed as expected.

Delegation can be a powerful tool for managers. When used correctly, it can help to simplify your work process and get more done in less time.

What is Delegation?

Delegation is the process of assigning responsibility for a task or project to another person. This can be an effective way to free up your time and energy so that you can focus on more important tasks. When done correctly, delegation can also help develop the skills of your team members. Delegation is not a one-off process; instead, it involves a cycle of actions.

Benefits of Delegation

Delegation saves time

The primary advantage of delegation is that it reduces your workload. How often do we forget that “our original purpose was to empty the swamp, even when we’re up to our waist in alligators”?

By delegating, you remove items from your to-do list, place them on someone else’s, and they get completed. It doesn’t just mean pushing downward. It entails organizing a joint effort between you and your staff. By doing that with all of your workers, you can create a productive team. That frees up time.

Developing employee skills increases productivity

Growing the size and skill set of a team is a major advantage of delegation. By splitting up the workload, you not only help advance the professional development of your team but also save time, which boosts production and productivity.

This may result in larger profit margins, better employment prospects, higher rates of staff retention, and expanding product lines.

Boosts morale and Improves decision making

Delegation shows your team that you value their abilities and competencies and have faith in their discretion and judgment, in addition to their capacity to perform at a higher level.

Workers who feel appreciated and trusted are more likely to be dedicated to their jobs, their employers, and especially their managers. A team member that is driven wants to be an active contributor rather than a bystander; to contribute to addressing everyday problems; to develop bonds with the group; to feel important, helpful, successful, proud, and respected; to propose ideas; to make decisions; to succeed; to advance; and to expand. The greatest method for you, as a manager, to facilitate this is through effectively delegating.

Delegation Process/Steps

Prepare to delegate

By stating the task’s goals and expectations in detail, you can evaluate the task you want to assign. To clarify your objectives, pose the following questions to yourself:

• What tasks must I complete?
• What qualifications and experience does my employee need to complete it successfully?
• What more materials can I offer to support what they already know?
• What resources can they access to increase productivity?
• What should the final product look like?
• What does a job well done look like in the eyes of those to whom I am accountable?
• Is this one job or can I break it up into several jobs?

By providing answers to the aforementioned questions, you can create a clear description of your goals, offer a doable checklist of how to achieve them and assist your team in reaching success.

“Find the best task management tool to manage work & delicate tasks effectively.”

Communicating expectations clearly

The individual or team embarking on the project should be made aware of the goals and expectations for the assignment. Consider reiterating the instructions in a useful way to make sure they understand them and are prepared to start working.

Providing necessary resources

Consider the necessary steps and come to an agreement on them. Think about the people, place, space, things, cash, resources, and other connected activities and services.

Measuring task progress and Providing feedback

Create a procedure for getting updates on a regular basis. This makes the worker more responsible. Be close enough to answer questions and make sure everything runs smoothly, but not so close that you end up taking control of the situation. Avoid micromanaging the work because doing so erodes the power you have granted.

Give regular feedback to employees outlining their accomplishments and areas for development. To show improvement, contrast their outcomes with those of the last task assigned. Celebrate a job well done by outlining in detail what the staff members did.

Common Barriers to Delegation & Solution

Lack of trust in employees

Due to a lack of trust or confidence in their team members, leaders may be reluctant to assign assignments. Although it’s acceptable to have these emotions, you must go past them in order to successfully delegate.

Solution: Set your team up for success by beginning small and taking calculated risks. Early successes will give you the confidence to delegate more and more, allowing you to progressively increase the difficulty of the duties given. Make sure you fully prepare your team; the better they are prepared, the less anxious you will be. Your squad may also lack self-assurance or be concerned that they won’t perform properly. You may instill confidence and trust side by side by taking baby steps together.

Loss of Control

Admit it — sometimes we’re all a few control freaks. Many business owners have a long history of using their own talent and tenacity to achieve their goals. Even when business owners believe they can perform their duties more effectively, a leader micromanaging every aspect of the company will not make it successful.

Solution: Offering planned accountability to your team members will help you overcome this and reduce your worry. In addition, you never know when one of your team members can come up with a fresh, more effective way to do the assignment!

“Take full control of your tasks and teams! Find the best tool to manage teams and oversee all of your office tasks.”

Conclusion

Great leaders must have the ability to delegate, which has significant advantages for you as a leader, your team members, the team, and consequently, the business. So, the next time your to-do list overwhelms you, consider asking yourself if completing each item is the best use of your time or if someone else on the team could complete it just as well.

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The Power Of Delegation: How to Simplify Your Work Process [TIPS FOR MANAGERS] was originally published in ProofHub Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.