Delegation: Do it Vs. Get It Done

To be a great leader takes many different skills. And each skill set will very depending on each person and their profession. In fact, it is this knowledge of ones skill set that can be the makings of a great leader. Knowing where you are strong and more importantly where you are weak will help you build your team and increase your success.

If you’re already a great leader you most likely are already proficient in delegating tasks. But for many start ups, up and comers or new entrepreneurs delegating can have a steep learning curve.

First you need to be able to recognise your weakness. This may not be as obvious as you first think. You don’t need to be bad at something for it to be a weakness, it could simply be something that you do not enjoy and takes you a long time. Anything that someone else can do significantly easier, faster and better is something you should consider delegating. This can be particularly difficult for start-ups and entrepreneurs. The thought of spending money paying someone else to do something you can do seems ridiculous. But remember time is money, and your time could be spent making your business more money if you delegate tasks.

Delegation doesn’t necessarily mean hiring new full time employees. Accounting, social media, hiring/ HR are all things you could delegate to outside firms. In some cases bringing in short term contingent workers can ease the stress of busy seasons and lead to new connections.

If you already have staff are you using them to their full potential? Delegating can help ease your workload while building trust in your staff. You still will need to check to ensure things are done properly and overseeing isn’t completely taking a back seat, this after all is your business. But it can help you free up time to focus other aspects of your business that you enjoy more and can lead to higher profits. Find each staff member’s strengths and try to play to them. You will increase productivity across the board. Which directly leads to more success.

By attempting to dole out tasks to those who are skilled you increase your chances of things being done well the first time. And decreasing your chances of people feeling like they get the junk jobs. Those are unavoidable however, so take care to spread around the junk jobs. Aim to never have any one employee feel like they are the only one doing them.

No business or leader is ever perfect. The constant striving for better only works to your advantage. Never be content with what is, always know there is better and you want to be best. And most importantly do not let ego get in the way of success. Delegating and trusting your team will inevitably lead to the highest rate of success.

 

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