2 Tips for Effective Delegation

Delegation will allow the entire team to move faster and farther and to achieve more progress.

By Jason W. Womack, MEd, MA

A productive leader knows the importance of effective delegation. Here are two delegation tips to make the process smoother and more efficient:

  1. Make sure the people you delegate work to understand the expectations. At the time of delegation, ask them to “explain what it is I’ve asked you to do.” This three-minute check may save you minutes—or even hours—during the course of the project.
  2. Initiate a clear check-in process that enables people to correct their direction before they get too far out of line and need to take up valuable time getting back on track. Two great methods to do this: 
  • A regular check-in time (once or twice a week) when you can ask them key questions about their progress.
  • A formal milestone checklist where they can check off the actions completed one by one.

What’s the reward for effective delegation? It frees you as a leader so you have time and energy to do the big thinking and the strategic planning. For those we delegate to, it lets them know they are growing in a positive direction and that we know they’re ready to step toward bigger goals. Delegation will allow the entire team to move faster and farther and to achieve more progress.

To see a 2.5-minute video on effective delegation, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSWRXXDXwo4

For more information, visit www.womackcompany.com, or http://www.twitter.com/jasonwomack  or e-mail Jason@WomackCompany.com.

Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.