7 Steps to Successful Delegation

By Benjamin Marshall

Delegation is not just a job but is a skill that requires the application of
leadership qualities and some logical techniques. First, you have to select the
right candidate for the job. You need to provide him with a detailed job
description, expected results, available resources. Answer any questions. Once
you have chosen a delegate, you may then begin to move forward to the steps of
delegation.

What to Delegate?

Knowing how to delegate it is equally important as knowing what to delegate.
Here are some primary questions you should ask yourself before delegating work.

1. Can anyone else do the job instead of you?
2. Can someone else do the job better than you?
3. Can they do the task without your supervision?
4. Can they do the job at a lower cost than you?
5. Will the job provide an opportunity to the employees to grow?

Seven Steps to Success

Effective delegation always begins with an agreement between two individuals
where the assignee of the task agrees to take on the responsibility.

Here are seven golden rules to follow to achieve an effective delegation.

1. Identify the desired result: You must plan a desired output. Be sure what
   you want to get done through others. You have to be clear and explain your
   desired outcome to the delegate.
2. Decide the guidelines and standards: Secondly, you have to set some
   standards and plan the order of work. It should be properly communicated to your
   delegate. Answer all of his/her queries and doubts and make sure he/she
   understands them thoroughly.
3. Define the resources: It is your duty to educate your delegate about the
   available resources and budget, within which he has to function.
4. Assure rewards and consequences: The fourth rule is to follow the logical
   aspect of an individual’s mind. People will take more interest in the job only
   if they are sure that their work will be rewarded and appreciated appropriately.
   Hence, inform your subordinates that good work will carry adequate rewards and
   vice versa.
5. Let them practice: The fifth step involves that you provide your delegates
   appropriate time to practice. Initially they may commit mistakes. However, you
   can guide them by providing feedback. Remember that only practice can make a man
   perfect.
6. Entrust the total responsibility: As a sixth rule you must now handover the
   full responsibility to the delegate once he/she is ready to take over the job.
   Give him/her total freedom to plan his course of action and let them to set
   their expertise into motion.
7. Monitor their progress: The seventh and final rule is that you have to
   monitor the work done by the delegate. You have to fix periodical reporting
   schedules and discuss the progress of work. Thus, you can make sure that your
   delegates are proceeding in the right direction and are capable of rectifying
   errors if any.

Delegation should always be for the all-round development of everyone
associated with the company. A successful supervisor should therefore know how
to delegate efficiently. Using these suggested tips is guaranteed to lead you
into the direction of successful delegation.

Benjamin is an internet marketing consultant and trainer who has helped
expert authors publish digital content and information products on the internet.
He is currently helping small businesses take advantage of global resources such
as
outsourcing and link building services.