On the art of delegation: What leaders can do right!

The correct delegation of tasks is one of the most important management tools. The larger and more complex projects become, the more important it is to delegate tasks. However, this does not always work as well in practice as it does in theory. In this article, we have summarized how you as a leader can learn the art of delegation, what is important and what challenges there are to overcome along the way.

Why is proper delegation so important in leadership?

Leaders carry a lot of responsibility. As a rule, they have to fulfill corporate tasks and objectives as well as drive personnel development. There are only 24 hours in a day and it is important to use them effectively. This makes it all the more important to be able to hand over tasks. This is not only important for you, but also for your employees. They benefit from being allowed to take on new tasks, which not only strengthens their skills, but also their work ethic.

But this often sounds easier in theory than in practice, where a number of delegation traps lurk:

• Managers prefer to handle important tasks themselves
• You don't want to "burden" your team with too much responsibility
• Leaders deny employees the necessary competence
• You avoid delegating unpleasant tasks in order not to risk a bad mood

These delegation traps all have one thing in common: they end up leaving you holding the bag.

Here's what you can do right when delegating tasks

As a manager, you can learn how to delegate just like any other management tool. We have summarized what is important in the following overview.

1. Selecting the right tasks
   Not every task can actually be distributed to employees. Think carefully about which tasks absolutely require your expertise or your person and where you can hand over responsibility.
   
2. Selecting the right employees
   To select the right employees for a management task, it is important that you know your team well and know who has the necessary experience for which tasks. You should also keep in mind how much responsibility this employee already has so as not to overburden him or her.
   
3. Instruct employees correctly
   To ensure that expectations can be met on both sides, you should formulate your expectations correctly. What goal should be achieved, in what time frame? Who is the contact person? What budget is available? The more clearly the goals are formulated, the better.
   
4. Set milestones
   Especially for larger and more extensive tasks, you should set small milestones along the way that need to be reached. This increases motivation and indicates that you are still on track and gradually getting closer to your goal.
   
5. Show appreciation
   Out of sight, out of mind. Don't forget to always give your employee feedback and show appreciation. Appreciation is also essential in everyday life for a harmonious and effective working atmosphere.

Managers who can delegate properly not only ensure a good working atmosphere, but can also concentrate more on their own tasks.

Our coaches will be happy to support you in learning the art of proper delegation.