Pass off the work through effective delegation methods.

At some point, you need to let go

Handing out tasks to employees can be hard. As the old saying goes, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” But maybe that isn’t so true anymore. Delegating jobs can relieve a lot of stress and tension in the workplace. It ensures every employee feels like they are doing their part, improves employee motivation in the workplace and gives managers time to focus on more important objectives.

Here are my dos and don’ts of effective delegation in the workplace:

Do: Build Trust

You have to stop believing you are the only person capable of doing a job correctly. There’s a good reason employees are hired in the workplace – to do work. Trusting your employees is the first step in creating a successful team. If you set expectations and establish goals and standards to follow, the methodology shouldn’t be an issue. Delegation helps employees develop for advancement and creates a stronger work environment.

Don’t: Micromanage

Standing over an employee’s shoulders isn’t going to help them get a job done. If you are constantly breathing down their neck, they’ll get nervous and most likely not finish the job correctly or on time. Give them some much needed space to do their best work.

Do: Have a Timeline

When you delegate tasks, creating a timeline will help employees stay on track to succeed. Consider employee’s skills and knowledge before you set a due date. Don’t have unrealistic expectations of your employees; if the task would take you two days to complete, make sure you give them ample time to work on the job and ask questions if needed.

When you outline the expectations in the beginning, make sure you build in checkpoints for follow-up. Checkpoints are crucial to the success of a task. Think of it like a status report – outline exactly what needs done, who needs to do it, and when it should be completed.

Don’t: Always Pass Off Work You Don’t Like

When you delegate tasks, make sure to change it up. Employees won’t always love every job you hand them. There has to be a balance between fun tasks and grunt work. Jobs should allow employees to grow and develop their skill set, not just give them something to do to pass the time.

Also, be sure to give clear instructions. Make sure your employee has all the information needed to complete the job. Confirm that they understands and accepts the requirements before having them start.

Do: Have an Open Door Policy

Having an open door policy allows team members to feel comfortable coming to you whenever they have questions. Make sure your employees know you are open to them approaching you with whatever they may need. An open door policy helps build better communication between you and your team.

Don’t: Expect Perfection

Everyone is human. As you hand out work, it’s important to remember that learning new skills takes time and effort, and sometimes includes mistakes. Don’t punish employees who take the initiative, take risks and try their best.

Do: Praise Good Work

Make sure their efforts don’t go unnoticed. Use your leadership skills to create a positive work environment. If employees see you handing out praise for a job well done, it will motivate them to work harder. Don’t forget to offer suggestions what they did well, and how to improve next time.

Set up a Team Building Event Today

Larry Lipman of Fun Team Building can create a team building day custom to your employees. Call 770-333-3303 or visit www.funteambuilding.com to get started today!