Three Challenges with Delegating Effectively

Have you ever wondered what sets exceptional leaders apart from the rest? Why do some leaders seem to effortlessly steer their teams toward success while others struggle to keep up? The answer lies in the art and science of delegation, a skill that can make or break a leader’s journey to excellence. Let’s talk about delegation, exploring its significance, common challenges, and strategies for overcoming them so that you can learn how to delegate like a boss.

The Case for Delegation

In 2014, Gallup conducted a study of Fortune 500 CEOs, and the results were eye-opening. They discovered that those with a high capacity for delegation consistently outperformed their counterparts who struggled with delegation. Specifically, the data revealed that CEOs with higher levels of delegation achieved an astounding three-year growth rate of 1,751%, a staggering 112 percentage points above their peers who were less inclined to delegate.

But the benefits of delegation go beyond just the bottom line. Leaders who excel at delegation also gain a precious gift – time. When leaders attend MindWire’s Delegate Like a Boss workshop, they reclaim a whopping 12 hours each week with their improved delegation skills.

Imagine having an extra 12 hours to dedicate to higher-impact tasks, strategic thinking, personal reflection, spend quality time with your family, or even finally finish that book that’s collecting dust on your nightstand. Delegation isn’t just about achieving business success; it’s about enhancing your overall quality of life.

Common Challenges with Delegating

Now, let’s tackle the elephant in the room: Why do so many leaders struggle with delegation? Here are the most common challenges that make leaders hesitant to delegate tasks to their teams.

1. Logistics: One of the first hurdles leaders face is figuring out what tasks to delegate and to whom. It can feel overwhelming, leaving leaders wondering where to even begin. And, so, they often don’t.
2. Quality Control: There’s often a fear that if a task is delegated, it won’t be completed up to the leader’s standards. After all, the quality of the work reflects not only on the team member but also on the leader and their business unit. 
3. Self-Doubt: Leaders may grapple with self-doubt, questioning whether they should be handling the task themselves and what their team will think if they pass it on. Additionally, leaders may lack the skills of knowing how to ask others to own a task.

Overcoming Delegation Challenges

The good news is that these challenges can be conquered. Here are three strategies to help you overcome the obstacles to effective delegation:

1. Increase Self-Awareness: Understanding your own behaviors and motivations is the first step toward successful delegation. A leadership personality test or behavioral assessment can help you recognize your strengths and areas where you struggle. Which kinds of tasks do you naturally delegate to your team already and why? Self-awareness will guide you in making informed decisions about what to delegate.
2. Create a Delegation Plan: Instead of making on-the-fly decisions about delegation, develop a delegation plan for each of your direct reports. Will you be delegating based on expertise or development opportunities? Do you know who has the bandwidth to take on more responsibility? How will you communicate the delegation of new tasks? A delegation plan will act as your compass, ensuring you delegate tasks thoughtfully and strategically.
3. Know What to Delegate: Not all tasks are created equal. Consider the complexity of an assignment and its impact on the broader organization before deciding to delegate it. Focus on tasks that will empower your team members and align with the organization’s goals.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a masterful delegator and elevating your leadership impact. Leadership performance? Check!

A Call to Action

Organizations interested in developing leaders should assess delegation skills and train those leaders to delegate more effectively. Reflect on your own delegation abilities and explore leadership training programs such as MindWire’s Delegate Like a Boss workshop. This program will provide you with the tools and knowledge to excel in delegation, making you a more effective and successful leader.

Leadership challenges often revolve around delegation, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock on your journey to success. Embrace the power of delegation, conquer the challenges, and watch your leadership capabilities soar. Are you ready to delegate like a boss and optimize your talents? The choice is yours.