Delegation is the act of assigning a responsibility, often in the form of a task, to an employee.
Delegation has the potential to build the confidence and competence of employees when done correctly.
Successful delegation requires a leader to follow a series of steps:
- Determine what to delegate: For delegation to be successful, it is crucial that the leader specifies the task, the level of authority of the employee with respect to decision making, and the expected outcomes. The more clearly this is communicated, the more likely the employee will be successful in accomplishing their task.
- Determine which assignments are best suited to each employee: effective leaders understand their staff member’s strengths and interests. When these factors are considered in delegation, employees are more likely to enjoy and excel in their projects.
- Follow up: while leaders must be mindful to trust in the abilities of staff, it is important that they follow up periodically to find out if they need additional assistance or guidance. It is the leader’s responsibility to remove obstacles and support the process.
- Show appreciation: recognition is an important component of delegation, and has the potential to increase confidence and encourage employees to continue developing within the organization
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