Learning how to delegate effectively is a crucial skill for any business owner to master. It not only helps you free up your time, but it also enables you to work consistently within your zone of genius.
But delegation can be a difficult skill to master, as it has so many fears attached to it. For some, it raises fears over the competence in the abilities of others. There’s the fear that the task won’t be completed to a satisfactory level. For others, delegation can bring up fears over their own abilities and role within a business.
No matter what your fears, you need to learn how to delegate effectively. Here are the steps you can take to make it easier for you and your team.
Delegate effectively by finding the right person for the job
Start by finding the right person for the job. Not everyone on your team will have the skills needed to complete the task, so ensure you’re matching the right person to the tasks you need completing. There’s also a need to understand your team – how they work, their strengths and weaknesses – as these will help you delegate more effectively.
[For more help with this, check out What to consider when hiring your wing person and What a match made in Virtual Assistant heaven looks like.]
Clearly communicate your needs
Next up, ensure you’re clearly communicating your needs. When you take the time to hand over a task well, you cut down on questions, misunderstandings and substandard results. So take some time beforehand, writing down exactly what you need to communicate to get the outcome you need.
Hand over the task entirely, if you want to delegate effectively
Understand that you need to totally hand over the task if you want to benefit from delegating it out. That means no micromanaging on your part! When you’re communicating your needs, ensure you’re also expressing your expectations over progress reports and check-ins. This will help ease any worries you have over letting the task go.
Trust them to do the job
And learn to trust your team. If you’ve clearly communicated your needs and handed over the task, trust your team to do their job. If you have serious doubts about their abilities, maybe you need to look at implementing a training schedule or taking time out to really get to know your team better. [If you need help with managing your team, check out this blog post: How to manage a remote team effectively.]
Focus on the outcome, not the journey
It isn’t enough to know the above steps; you also need to delegate in a way that empowers the person to do the job well. That includes giving them the freedom to work in a way that suits them. You may know what your desired end result will be – but there’s a high chance your outsourcer may know a better way to achieve that desired outcome. They’ll know the best tool for the job and the best process to follow. So give them the freedom to make those choices by focusing on the desired result, not the process itself.
If you’re ready to explore how delegating effectively can help you achieve that freedom-seeker lifestyle you crave, why not reach out and let’s talk? Working with me as your Online Business Manager, you can free up your time, knowing that your day-to-day business operations are in safe hands. So if you’re ready to chat through your options, why not book an informal call here.