7 Easy Steps to Delegate Tasks Effectively

One of the leadership goals of every successful manager is to delegate tasks effectively. While the delegation of tasks seems like a child’s play, doing it requires a lot of trust and communication. Still, if you learn how to do it, it’s a win-win situation for everyone on your team.

Why is it important to delegate tasks? 

Tasks delegation helps a leader in many obvious ways, like freeing up time and achieving more on a daily basis. Plus, it helps them learn how to identify who is best suited for a particular task or project. 

It may seem like it does more for the leader — they’re the ones who get stuff off their plate, after all. But delegated tasks actually benefit the employee more than the leader.  For one, effective delegation empowers existing skills of employees, which promotes the development of new knowledge and skills along the way. As a result, the workplace becomes an open space to share roles in times of need.

On the other end, the mutual benefit of delegating tasks is that it gives a sign that you respect your subordinates’ abilities. Because of that, employees feel that they are trusted and respected, which in return promotes employee productivity and good relationships among the team.

7 Easy Steps to Delegate Tasks Effectively

Delegation of tasks is not as simple and as cruel as barking orders in hopes of employees falling in line. Here’s the best way you can do to delegate tasks effectively. 

1. Ask yourself, “When is the right time to delegate tasks?”

Effective delegation is not simply handing out tasks to the closest person in the room. Before giving out orders, you must first ask yourself, “Should I be in charge of this task? Or can someone else do it?” Some tasks can be critical and highly sensitive, so before you free your plate, make sure to ask yourself if it’s worth delegating. If the task can provide new skills for employees, then it could well be worth delegating the job.

By knowing the right time to delegate tasks, it will be easier to connect people with tasks that perfectly suit their talent. Rest assured that you will get the best end-result when done properly.

2. Who is the perfect person for the job?

When passing the torch to a team member, your goal is to pick the person equipped with the right skills and experience. But while skills and experience are important, you must also consider their willingness to learn. Willingness to learn makes a person more capable and coachable which can render better output.

If the task needs to be done as soon as possible, you may want to delegate the tasks to the seasoned veterans. Inexperienced workers need more guidance, it wouldn’t be fair to delegate the task to them.

3. Sell it to the right person.

So you’ve found the right person to delegate the task to, what’s the next step? Well, you have to sell the idea to your chosen employee. Let them know why you chose them for the job. The reason must be because you believe in their talents, and you’re willing to help them grow. Showing others that you support their growth helps build a culture of trust. Consequently, they will see the delegated tasks as an opportunity, and they are more likely to be invested in the outcome.

4. To delegate tasks, you must be clear and specific about the work.

Including straightforward instructions from the get-go can help you avoid problems in the future. Even if the task seems easy and repetitive, it won’t hurt to include instructions every time you delegate tasks. If you have specific preferences on how you want them to carry out the task, you may include that information. Also, don’t forget to highlight the deadline or milestones, if there’s any.

5. Always provide support for your employees

As a leader, it is your job to support and provide resources for your subordinates. As much as possible, you can connect them with training and materials even if they haven’t asked for it in the first place. It may take time to make resources available, but it’s a surefire way to get the best possible outcomes. 

While it is important that you keep track of their performance, don’t make it seem like you’re micromanaging them. You can ask for updates and offer support, but don’t overdo it! Just by making it clear that you are always free to answer questions is enough to make them feel your thoughtful presence.

6. Show your appreciation

During check-ins, make sure that you recognize the job well done so far. Acknowledge the effort and progress that your employee is putting to reach the object. In this way, they will be more effective and dedicated because they know that you value their efforts. 

When you recognize their accomplishments, it is more likely that they will work with you again on future projects. Here are simple and unique ways you can do to show employee appreciation.

7. Ask for feedback to improve delegation in the future

Asking for feedback works both ways. First, if your employee has done well with the delegated task, you can recognize them publicly. But if they’ve fallen short, give them some constructive criticism privately. 

Second, you can invite your employees to share their thoughts on how well you’re delegating the tasks. In the end, it’s not every day you get the chance to determine if you’re doing delegation the right way. Delegation isn’t always easy and there sure is no clear cut. That’s why you need to ask for opinions and feedback. And in the future, you will be a much-respected leader who knows how to delegate tasks effectively.