Delegating assignments can be very hard for a few reasons.
- You’ll probably do a better job at completing the assignment than someone to whom you could delegate.
- You’ll probably finish the assignment faster than someone to whom you could delegate.
- You actually enjoy doing the assignment and don’t want to give it up.
None of that matters. You still need to delegate because:
Delegating is good for your staff. How else are they going to learn how to do certain tasks? Under your supervision, they have the chance to problem solve and produce their best attempts. They get the benefit of having you review their work, and strengthening their skills by applying your constructive criticism. Overtime their work will become stronger and they will learn how to do it more efficiently, saving time. And who knows, they may even develop a better or faster way of completing the assignment.
Delegating is good for you. How else are you going to move up? In order to grow, and accept new responsibilities, you have let go of the old ones—even if you like doing them. Relinquishing control can be hard for some of us because it means that things won’t be done exactly how we would do them. Practicing letting go, or delegating, is so important to your development as a leader. It means that you have the ability to make room for bigger tasks, you don’t get lost in the weeds, and you have confidence in your team’s abilities. Now get out of their way and let them show off their skills.
What are some lessons you’ve learned by delegating?