Improving Performance Through Delegating

If there is one skill that assists dramatically in time management, keeping goals front of mind and on track, and maintaining focus on priority activities it is delegation.  While some find it easy, others myself included, can sometimes find it challenging.  I don’t consider myself a ‘control freak’ but admittedly I am comfortable multi-tasking and being accountable for my actions, and occasionally I have thought that people who delegate too often are just lazy!  But I recognise the importance of improving my delegation skills, letting go of tasks that can become someone else’s responsibility, and ensuring my time is spent on doing the most important activity at that particular time.

The way in which tasks are delegated is important for both the person delegating and the person being delegated to. 

It’s important to me that delegation isn’t just a matter of telling someone else what to do.  Through my paid work, I want delegation to be a mutual understanding between myself and person I’m delegating to that I value their contribution and want to work with them as a team to accomplish all that needs to be done on the accounts that I manage.  I know that allowing colleagues to assist sends a clear message that I have faith in them, I value their skills, and I want them to succeed and grow in their careers, too.

KT Bernhagen shared a great tip on the website http://www.themuse.com/advice/6-tips-for-delegating-success .  “Open, clear communication from the get-go is absolutely crucial to ensuring that the projects you delegate will be done well. From the very beginning of the project, be up-front about your expectations, including timelines and deliverables, and give your team members all of the information they need to achieve those goals. It can be helpful to put everything in writing or provide people with a template or guidelines for the project—the more direction you give them, the more likely they’ll come back with what you’re looking for.”

One way to keep the elements of the delegated task on track is to adopt the SMART or SMARTER rule.  At work, my delegated tasks should be:

·                     Specific

·                     Measurable

·                     Agreed

·                     Realistic

·                     Timebound

·                     Ethical

·                     Recorded

On the website www.businessballs.com/delegation.htm Alan Chapman writes:

“The rate and extent of responsibility and freedom delegated to people is a fundamental driver of organisational growth and effectiveness, the growth and well-being of your people, and of your own development and advancement.”

At home it is much less formal, but still just as important that I can delegate chores. I want the delegation of tasks to my children to be learning experiences for them, so that they can develop the skills they need for self-sufficiency – real life skills.

This has been relatively easy for my eldest daughter, who relishes any new responsibility and new tasks (at least before the novelty of it wears off!). This year she has really taken to making her own school lunch, which at 7 years of age is quite impressive.  As she gets older, I realise that I can delegate more to her, which helps her to build the immediate skills of the specific task, but also a sense of accomplishment and responsibility, and earned trust from her parents.  My youngest daughter at 3 is somewhat less independent, but can skilfully find a way out of a task, or con someone in to completing it for her…. Quite the delegator (maybe I can learn from her!!)

Whether at home or paid work, being mindful of others is critical.  I should be grateful for the work others have done and ensure that I show my gratitude.  I should give credit for the work done, particularly if it’s rewarded by customers or stakeholders.

So, my aim is to put delegation into action every day, to assist others in building their own skill set and teach my kids some important life lessons and survival skills along the way.  By doing this, I’ll be improving my own efficiency and ensuring I spend my time getting the most in return for my efforts.  Do you find it easy to delegate tasks?  What strategies do you use to ensure tasks are completed appropriately?  Please send me a post or drop me an email at livewelllivesmart@gmail.com – I’d love to read your suggestions.