Managers who delegate tend to feel secure in themselves; their experience, their knowledge, their position and have a positive attitude towards the work assigned to them.  Managers who do not delegate enough lack confidence and do not trust others with work assignments.  The main problems which stem from not delegating are;

• Manager’s effectiveness can be undermined resulting in a negative impact on career prospects.
• The manager finds that they rarely have enough time to complete work assignments
• Difficulties with team building and management – a lack of; trust, support and communication.

Recommended steps to delegation

1. Prepare for delegation.  Spend time planning work assignments, consider:

• What can be delegated?
• What skill sets are required to undertake the task?
• The team members’ workload.
• What difficulties they may face?
• Do not delegate sensitive or complex work tasks.
• Delegate repeatable tasks.

1. Have the right attitude.  Delegation is not re-assigning all the tasks you do not want to do, or advocating responsibility.
2. Communicate.  Consult team members, consultation will lead to a greater understanding of the task assigned as well as a mutual agreement.

• Present clear guidelines as to the work assignment
• Provide an explanation of the overall goals and how their specific goals related
• Pull on personal persuasion and leadership – not your position or title, when setting out expectations.
• Give clear guidelines as to what is expected
• Grant enough permissions for them to complete the work assignment
• Get acknowledgement  that they understand and agree to work assignment