Serving Team Leaders’ Skills: Delegation

Last week I mentioned in my post the importance of delegating, not “dumping” (passing off tasks you don’t like). A serving team leader first considers whether or not a task should be delegated. For example, the following tasks should NEVER be delegated:
(1) Praise and recognition of team members.
(2) Conflict resolution and difficult team member issues.
(3) Tasks that only the leader’s skill set can achieve.
(4) Decisions that only can be made by the leader.

Next, a serving team leader will consider the goal, benefit, and risk of delegating a task. Will the overall goals of the mission be achieved more effectively and efficiently through delegation? Do the benefits of delegation outweigh what’s gained by doing it oneself? If the person with the delegated responsibility fails, what are the ramifications?

Team leaders must also consider the amount of time needed for training before delegation occurs. Team members’ abilities and skills must be assessed and appropriately matched. Authority and responsibility need to be clearly defined along with proper limitations.

Finally, team leaders should institute a process that will be used to follow up and measure progress.

In summary, make sure delegation is done correctly by:
(a) Setting a clear goal or objective.
(b) Assigning projects or tasks, identifying milestones, and helping decide completion dates/times.
(c) Providing necessary instructions and guidance.
(d) Clearly stating the level of authority granted to the team.
(e) Following up and providing feedback.

[Next week we will discuss the ego issues that can occur at each level of leadership development.]