Knowing how to delegate is a superpower that can elevate your business to new heights while lightening your workload.
When I launched my business, I wasted no time in learning how to delegate tasks. Within 6 months I hired my first employee. I was driven by my vision to build and eventually sell the company.
Mastering how to delegate didn’t happen overnight. It took me three years of trial and error, painful mistakes, and the stigma of being labeled a micromanager.
Being called a micromanager isn’t a badge of honor- it’s a warning sign that your delegation strategy needs an overhaul. I lost many good employees by doing it wrong.
I went through a few phases in the process of learning how to delegate effectively:
- Nice gal- I was suggestive and didn’t want to be bossy
- I’m your pal- I learned to be bossy but tried to make up for it by being their friend
- You’re an idiot- I fired people
- Everyone is an idiot- There were too many people to fire
- Maybe it’s me- Not everyone can be dumb so it must be me
- Yep, it’s for sure me- I can fix this
- I need to get better at this- Study, take action, correct
- They’re better than I am- I’m not the best at this, they are
- Wow, they’re amazing- They’re in the groove and things are getting done
- What do I do now?- Whatever I want
If you’re somewhere ahead of the last 3 steps then this is for you!
Read on to begin your journey to “Wow, they’re amazing!” and “What do I do now?”
Today in 5 minutes or less…
- The power of delegation
- How to delegate the right way
- Action Items for how to delegate successfully
The Super Power of Delegation
If you don’t know how to delegate the right way you’ll pile a heap of burning coals right on top of your head! The pain will multiply. Nobody wants this.
When you learn how to delegate you open the door to a magic world of many benefits where you don’t have to do any of the work anymore. Talk about amazing!
This is what we really want as business owners, right? We start our businesses to have more control over our time. To live it on our own terms. I know that’s why I started mine.
Unfortunately most of us find ourselves being overworked, underpaid, stressed out, and feeling like we’re on the hamster wheel of never ending hell. Am I right?!
Delegation, done right, is the answer to your prayers.
When you have a team of people who run your business better than you do, this is when you get to experience the magic of owing a business.
This is when you get your life back and live the life you were dreaming of when you started.
How to Delegate the Right Way
So, what’s the right way to delegate?
Here’s the signature blend I found to give the finest aroma (because I love coffee):
Lay a foundation of open communication-
- Establish trust
- Get to know your people
- Be transparent
Set clear expectations up front-
- Clear boundaries
- Concise guidelines
- How to report and when
Give a comprehensive description of the desired outcome-
- Let them know why
- Give them all the information up front
- Be precise on what you expect the finished product to look like
Provide deadlines-
- It’s their responsibility to report back to you at each deadline
- Tell them that
Empower them with what they need to get the job done to the best of their ability-
- Give them everything they need to do the job right
- Have an “open door” policy in case they need something
Provide constructive feedback-
- Feedback is necessary for them to understand the job correctly
- It’s normal to have to correct a few times
- Do this when they report back, not before
Step back and stay out of their way-
- Let them do their job
What if it doesn’t work?
So you tried it and it didn’t work. I’ve been there.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, delegation fails. But before you blame yourself, consider if you’ve got the right people in the right roles.
Whenever I have an employee that isn’t performing his/her job right I always ask, “Am I asking a fish to climb a tree?”
Clearly no one would ever do this!
But we do it daily in our businesses. We put people in roles that aren’t what they’re good at. Maybe even incapable of.
Actions for How to Delegate Successfully
1. Clearly define the job and what you expect the outcome to be
3. Identify the correct person for the job
4. Follow the steps above
5. Monitor the results
Thanks for joining me on this delegation journey. Together we’ll unlock the true potential of your business!
Best,
Trina
