“If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.” – John C. Maxwell, best-selling author & speaker
In its most basic form, Delegation is the assigning of a task to someone else.
Five Checkpoints to Effective Delegation
Checkpoint #1: Identify the correct task to delegate.
Important Rule of Thumb: If someone can complete a task 80% as well as you, consider delegating it to them.
Checkpoint #2: Identify the right person.
3 types of candidates for delegation
- The person who is ready right now.
- The person who is almost ready. They just need a little coaching.
- The person who can utilize this task as part of their professional development.
Checkpoint #3: Consider the timing.
- Does the person have the margin to be successful at completing this task?
- If you realize the person already has a full plate, what can you take off their plate?
Checkpoint #4: Communicate expectations.
- If possible, connect the task to the bigger vision so they can understand the significance of their involvement.
- Communicate the degree of autonomy they will have.
- Is there a budget involved?
- What is the timeline?
- How will success be measured?
“When you delegate tasks, you create followers. When you delegate authority, you create leaders.” – Craig Groeschel, founder of Life Church
Checkpoint #5: Provide feedback when the task is complete.
3 Reminders Regarding Feedback
- It’s specific.
- Its’ timely.
- It’s genuine.
“No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.” – Andrew Carnegie, American industrialist
