Diane Birch Business Coaching Solutions

Ten Tips to successful delegation

  One - Define the task

Confirm in your own mind that the task is suitable to be delegated.

  Two - Select the individual or team

Assess the capabilities and skills set for the person or team you are delegating to. Ensure they understand what it is they are going to get out of it.

  Three - Assess ability and training needs

Ask yourself is the other person or team of people capable of doing the task? Do they understand what needs to be done? Will they need any further help or support?

  Four - Explain the reasons

Explain the reasons why the job or responsibility is being delegated and why to that person or people. What its importance and relevance is. Where it fits in the overall scheme of things

  Five - State the required results

Clarify understanding of what is to be achieved by getting feedback from the other person. Make sure they know how you intend to decide that the job is being successfully done.

  Six - Consider resources required

Discuss and agree what is required to get the job done. Consider people, location, premises, equipment, money, materials, other related activities and services.

  Seven - Agree deadlines

When must the job be finished? Or if an ongoing duty, when are the review dates? When are the reports due? And if the task is complex and has parts or stages, what are the priorities?

At this point you may need to confirm understanding with the other person of the previous points, getting ideas and interpretation. As well as showing you that the job can be done, this helps to reinforce commitment.

Methods of checking and controlling must be agreed with the other person. Failing to agree this in advance will cause this monitoring to seem like interference or lack of trust.

  Eight - Support and communicate

Think about who else needs to know what's going on, and inform them. Involve the other person in considering this so they can see beyond the issue at hand. Do not leave the person to inform your own peers of their new responsibility. Warn the person about any awkward matters of politics or protocol. Inform your own boss if the task is important, and of sufficient profile.

  Nine - Feedback on results

It is essential to let the person know how they are doing, and whether they have achieved their aims. If not, you must review with them why things did not go to plan, and deal with the problems. You must absorb the consequences of failure, and pass on the credit for success.

  Ten - Give Praise where it’s due

Don’t underestimate how motivational a word of praise can be. It also instills self belief and confidence as well as loyalty and commitment. Praising a job well done will also instill a sense of pride in doing a job right first time.

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