Task delegation

Delegation is nothing more than entrusting employees with specific tasks and goals,
taking into account the freedom and independence of the subordinate. Delegation is
the main feature of mature forms of management culture. Usually we undertake such
activities, because we have no other choice, for example when we want to take
advantage of a well-deserved holiday or when we want to get rid of commitments, the
performance of which is not particularly pleasant for us.

However, before you decide to delegate tasks, you should remember that such action
is not only intended to relieve you as a manager, but above all to motivate and
appreciate the employee. Balance is the most important thing, i.e. the desire to
develop your own professional career combined with the opening of prospects for the
development of your employee.

It is natural that new things raise our concerns and the same applies to company
management. There is a mistaken belief that the practice of delegating tasks would
diminish the position of the manager. Such a person is often worried about being
seen as lazy, clumsy or exploiting other people. In addition, there is the idea that we
are not good enough or irreplaceable. Such thinking leads to the fact that we become
distrustful of subordinates, we do all the tasks ourselves, which means we have
excess duties, less time and more stress.

Delegating tasks has many unquestionable advantages. First of all – you gain time,
which you can spend, for example, on your private life. The assigned tasks will be
carried out faster and more accurately, and during this time, you can take care of
something else. Secondly – you give the opportunity to demonstrate to your
employees and additionally you gain in their eyes, as a person who trusts them.
Appreciating your employee, you build confidence in him/her, but it also works the
other way, because there is nothing better for you than a responsible and committed
employee who you can trust.
Before you decide to delegate tasks, you should remember certain rules that should
be followed:

• Trust your subordinate, but do not leave it completely to him/herself. It is
  important to monitor the progress, so you can set off with the obligation to
  report on the progress of work.
• Define your goals accurately and notify the employee about them. Find out if
  the employee has the appropriate competencies, as required to complete the
  task. Do not leave any misunderstandings either, tell straightforward what you
  want to be done, at what time and what effects you expect. Ask questions to
  see how the employee understood the task entrusted to him/her.
• Help, but do not replace. Your employee must know that he/she can count on
  your help and support in solving the problems.
• Appreciate your employee. Seemingly ordinary "thank you" or "I had no doubts
  that you can handle it" can do great things and build a sense of value in a
  given person.

I think that the advice in this article dispelled your doubts and demonstrated that
delegating tasks will make your work more effective and, as a result, you will improve
your company`s performance.