Time is money, especially when you run a business. That’s why delegation is one of the most important skills you can learn. In today’s post, we give you five tips to help you master delegation and save you time and energy.
1. Set Clear Expectations and Goals
The first step towards effective delegation is to set clear expectations and goals. Before handing off a task or responsibility, make sure you’ve clearly defined what needs to be done, why it’s important, and what success looks like.
Clear expectations help both you and the person who carries out the task you want to delegate to stay on the same page.
2. Choose the Right Person for the Job
Once you’ve clearly defined the task or responsibility, it’s important to choose the right person for the job.
No one knows your team as you do, so take a look at your team member’s strengths, and weaknesses, and select someone who has the right combination of skills and experience to successfully complete the task.
Remember, delegation isn’t about unloading tasks on people – it’s about empowering them to make decisions and take on new challenges in the process.
3. Communicate Effectively
Communication is key to any aspect of your business, and delegation is no different.
Make sure you clearly explain what needs to be done, why it’s important, and what resources are available to help the person succeed.
Be available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed. Also, set regular check-ins to stay up-to-date on progress and provide feedback as necessary.
4. Trust and Empower Team Members
Delegation frees up time, but it’s also an exercise on trust and empowerment.
Once you’ve delegated a task, it’s important to trust that the person will get it done, and to empower them to make important decisions and take ownership of the work.
Avoid micromanaging as you can end up stifling the progress of the task at hand. Instead, focus on providing support and guidance as needed.
5. Provide Feedback and Recognition
Finally, make sure you provide feedback and recognition throughout the delegation process.
Be sure to acknowledge your team member’s hard work and provide constructive feedback along the way. This will help employees stay engaged while ensuring that the task or responsibility is completed successfully.
More Tips and Ideas
At the ONE Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce, we are always looking for ideas that help foster the growth of your business. Here are some previous posts to help you do just that:
- How to use social media to advance your career
- Cybersecurity basics for small businesses
- 3 Simple ways to protect yourself against identity theft
- Common grammar mistakes to avoid in your business emails
Interested in learning more about the ONE Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce? Contact us today by email (info@oneinlandempire.com), telephone (951-280-3902), or social media. We look forward to hearing from you!
