How Managers Can Learn How to Delegate Tasks

Delegating is necessary for the success of any manager. Some managers, mostly new and younger managers, find it uncomfortable to delegate tasks. These younger managers are used to relying on themselves and are very independent.

Delegating can be difficult for many reasons. Therefore, managers need to learn how to delegate effectively for their team's success. Here are the seven tips to help managers delegate successfully:

1. Trust the team.

New managers need to trust their colleagues. Delegation is always about trust. If a manager doesn't trust their team, they will never assign tasks because they think the tasks will either not be done in time or done wrong.

This manager has the "do it yourself if you want it done right" mentality. New managers need to let it go and have faith in their team.

A part of being a good manager is to trust their team.

2. Choose the right employee.

A new manager has a lot on their plate, but no matter how busy they are, they would do right by getting to know the members of their team. Every member of a team has particular skills and experiences. Learning these skills will help when it comes time to delegate tasks to the right person.

For example, knowing that a specific employee has experience in design software means a manager will know whom to trust design-related jobs to, or a manager might delegate a database update to someone on the team who is an Excel veteran.

3. Choose the right duties.

Delegating is about making the most of everyone's time. It's about reducing the workload so that the manager can focus on bigger plans. The primary tasks that should be delegated are:

Jobs that manager can't do themselves, like those that need the use of specific software.
More time-consuming assignments, such as updating databases; or
The tasks that require constant follow-up, such as managing a social media account.

Depending on the manager and how much they trust their team members, other tasks may be appropriate to delegate, such as creating a strategic SEO plan.

4. Give precise instructions.

Most managers think that delegation is time-wasting because it takes time to explain the duties than doing the tasks themselves. That may be true in some cases, but for the vast majority of responsibilities, delegating can save time, as long as the manager provides clear instructions.

New managers should learn to balance between talking down to team members by explaining excessively and providing them with adequate information so they can complete the task.

New managers should get to know their team members and understand them better.

5. Set up a system.

One way to give precise instructions is to establish a system when delegating tasks. Managers should use a communication path between themselves and their team so that instructions and deadlines are clear for every task.

By setting up a system, managers can easily observe the completion of jobs, check in with their team, and identify problems before any time is wasted. It is also a perfect way for the manager to learn more about his team. Which member completes tasks quickly, which one usually takes longer, and who typically needs help.

6. Delegate responsibility.

A manager must also trust the employees with the responsibility and authority to do so. Without it, a team can't succeed, as delegated tasks will be seen as one-offs and not as signs of confidence in their professional ability. When employees are given the acknowledgement they deserve, they appreciate it and in return are more likely to shine in their assigned tasks.

7. Acknowledge the team's effort.

Managers wouldn't be where they are without their team. Acknowledging the team's work and effort can go a long way toward inspiring loyalty among team members. It can also provide the team with real satisfaction for a job well done.

New managers should have this mentality: if you share the blame with the team if a task was not done right, you should also share the praise when a task was completed successfully.

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Source: Eskill