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By N2H

Delegation

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Delegation is an advanced leadership skill. Its one way leaders:

• free themselves of time consuming chores.
• provide followers with development opportunities
• increase the number of tasks accomplished by the work group, team, or committee.

However it is often overlooked and underused in management.

Defined, delegation implies that the leader empowers another person to take responsibility for completing certain tasks or engaging in certain activities. Delegation gives the responsibility for decisions to those individuals most likely to be affected by or to implement the decisions.

Delegation is more concerned with autonomy responsibility and follower development than with participation.

MISUSE OF DELEGATION.

• Failure to delegate authority needed to accomplish delegated tasks.
• Monitoring too closely those delegated to.
• Delegating only those tasks the leaders do not want to do.

IMPORTANCE OF DELEGATION

Frees time for other activities. Leadership entails achieving goals through others. Leaders have to think in terms of the whole group or organizations, capability not just their own. This may cause conflict in some leaders who may have been successful on their own. However leaders have some responsibilities they must delegate. Due to delegation, the leader is able to have some time to attend to those other activities he is more suited or situated to accomplish. Delegation allows the leader to invest his time wisely.

Delegation develops followers. Developing subordinates is one of the most important responsibilities of any leader. Delegating significant tasks to subordinate is one best way to support their growth. This provides the subordinate with opportunities for initiative, problem solving, innovation, administration and decision making. By providing practical experience in a controlled fashion, delegation allows subordinate the best training experience-learning by doing.

Delegation strengthens the organization. Strengthening/developing subordinates strengthens the organization. This depicts that that subordinates are trusted and their development is important. This motivates the subordinates to want to work in the organization. Skillful delegation tends to increase the significance and satisfaction levels of most jobs making subordinate’s jobs better. In turn an organization systematically develops its personnel, its overall experience level, capability and vitality also increases. Delegation therefore stimulates innovation and generates fresh ideas and new approaches throughout the whole organization.

 

WHY AVOID DELEGATION?

Delegation takes too much time. Delegation saves time for the leaders in the long run, but it costs time for the leader in the short run. It takes time to train the subordinates to perform any new tasks. However when the task is a recurring or repetitive one, the long-term savings will make the additional effort in training worth it, for both the leader and the followers.

Delegation is risky. Delegation is risky i.e. it reduces direct personal control over the work

• The job will not be done as well
• The task is a desirable one
• Others are already too busy.

PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE DELEGATION.

• Decide what to delegate.
• Decide who to delegate
• Make the assignment clear and specific.
• Assign an objective, not a procedure.
• Allow autonomy, but monitor performance
• Give credit, not blame.

POINTS TO COVER WHEN DELEGATING A TASK.

• How does the task relate to organizational goals

• When does the subordinate’s responsibility for the task begin?

• How has the task been accomplished in the past.

• What problems were encountered with the task in the past?

• What sources of help are available?

• What unusual situations might arise in the future?

• What are the limits of the subordinates authority?

• How will the leaders monitor the task(e.g. provide feedback)

• Always convey high confidence and expectations.

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