Many managers think that productivity means toiling to exhaustion, ten, twelve hours a day. However, productivity does not depend on how many hours you work. The quality of your performance depends on whether you can choose tasks effectively that are worth your time and skills. Learn to delegate the rest.
In a recent article, The Muse website published four basics to improve your delegation skills and get rid of the activities that you do not have expertise for or bore you.
1. Set tangible goals
Give individual employees in the team some space, so they can find ways to make split decisions themselves. A tip: Make a list of goals and tasks that you need to achieve with the team in a day, week, month or year. But that is not enough. Specify outcomes that define the desired result. You can suggest ways in which it is possible to achieve this. However, also give others in the team some space to seek appropriate ways of working out problems. If you are afraid of what the result could be, you can also organize regular, e.g. weekly meetings with each team member to keep track of the progress of the work.
2. Start with small tasks
Delegating is not babysitting. Forget the idea that only you can do it best. If you are concerned, start by delegating just a part of the task, or less demanding activities. As a first step, let individuals think up their own solution to the task and do not dictate what the only solution is (if it is not the only way). Gradually, increase their responsibilities or quantity of tasks.
3. A completed task does not mean a job well done
If you are afraid of delegating and so do most of the tasks yourself, consider the return on each task. Logically, you cannot do everything, so it is good to personally focus on tasks that have a high return and therefore the high impact on other business or results. Tasks that do not have such a significant impact on business can be delegated to someone else, and thus free up your time.
4. Another benefit of delegating
Managers who successfully manage to delegate automatically assign specific tasks to others in the team. If you have an assistant, make your calendar and other folders available to her. Has she worked with these programs that are useful for working effectively and knows the application? Well done. Let her carry out her organizational work.
Remember that the trust you give the team and individuals will bring you many returns and help strengthen your relationships and the responsibility your people are able to bring to the tasks you assign them. Gradually, you will not only be more efficient, but also you will be able to devote most of your time to activities that you like and are more suited to your expertise.
-bn-