5 ways to delegate more effectively

Source: Career Success Partners

Surveys have shown that very few managers think they delegate well. For entrepreneurs, however, failure to delegate effectively can spell big trouble.

Via Startup Professionals Musings’ chief executive Martin Zwilling provides some pointers for business leaders who want to get better at getting others to do some of their work. Zwilling distils his tips from Jan Yager’s book Work Less, Do More.

• Delegate tasks you’re not suited to – Focus on the most critical tasks and delegate what doesn’t interest you or what you don’t have the skills to do. “For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities,” Zwilling recommends.
• Trust those you delegate to – People who are delegated to need to have a change to do the job right. If you don’t trust a person enough to let go a little, find someone else for the task.
• Set a deadline – Setting a deadline with milestones gives a leader a chance to follow up on progress throughout the task with specific questions.
• Delegate responsibility and authority – “Managers who fail to delegate responsibility in addition to specific tasks eventually find themselves reporting to their subordinates and doing some of the work, rather than vice versa,” Zwilling says.
• Give credit – Giving public and written credit to someone who has successfully performed a delegated task inspires trust and gives staff a sense of satisfaction.

SPM has more tips for delegating effectively.

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