Get A Handle On Time By Delegating
 

If you’re a supervisor looking for a time management tool because you’re overwhelmed at work, you need to learn how to effectively use a super tool:  Delegation. Don’t think your boss expects you to do all you have on your plate right now. She expects the work to get done—that’s all.

The Five Easy Steps Of Delegation

1.  Choose what job you want to delegate. You will not be doing the work but you will be responsible because this is a task you’re currently handling.

2.  Choose who will be the right person to do the job. This is not a case of giving it to the most capable person. You are responsible to help develop your employee’s skills so they can take on more important roles in the company. Don’t discount that new person who is quietly working away on minor tasks. Effective managers grow their highly competent employees.

3.  Communicate what you want done.
Explain what decisions the employee has the authority to make. Explain why this job is important to the company. Tell the employee when you expect this task to be completed. Don’t assign it to the When You Get A Chance realm.

4.  Communicate how you’ll review her progress.
Tell her you think she’s proven to you she’s capable of handling important tasks and that you’ll be available, at first, to answer questions and that in (1 month, 1 week) the two of you will sit down to review the progress and note this step up in responsibilities in the employee’s personnel file. Tell her how you’ll monitor her progress without micromanaging it. You trust her authority in this matter. And then do not micromanagement it! 

5.  Review the progress.
Let the employee know ahead of time when the job will be reviewed. Tell her you’ll then ask her if she has any ideas about how it can be improved because you value her ability. On the other hand, if the employee has come to you too often to make decisions, it’s time to go over the authority you’ve given her—and expect her to handle. Let her know that everyone makes a mistake now and then. You won’t hold it against her, but you expect her to learn from these errors and to move on to higher-level tasks in the company.
 

Tip:
Be a smart woman—rehearse your talk with the selected employee. What are the 3 objections or worries she may mention—or think about. Will she say, “I barely have enough time to get my current work done.” or “I don’t think I have the skills to do that.” Plan your reply including your confidence in her ability.
 

Further Reading:

Podcast, Working In Heels, 3 Steps To Gain More Authority: Take These Steps Towards Leadership & Authority

Blog, Women’s Lunch Talk, Proof That Women Make Great Managers —Studies Show Areas Where Women Excel

Website, WomensMedia, by Ramona Creel, 10 Ways to Delegate More Effectively

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