Delegation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a proven strategy for business growth. This key skill frees up the valuable time and talent of project managers which are too often consumed by menial tasks. Businesses succeed more when those at the helm attend to more meaningful and growth-oriented opportunities.
But, even the most experienced and talented managers need help to delegate. This is especially true in the industrial, manufacturing, and construction fields where every decision is impactful. Here, we’ll explore the proven power of delegation and the effective steps leaders can take to implement it.
The Real Power of Delegation
It’s easy to talk about the fruits of delegation, but what about concrete proof? Well, the numbers have been crunched! Gallup conducted an in-depth analysis of 143 Fortune 500 CEOs to determine how delegation impacted their success. Companies with skilled delegators as leaders experienced a growth rate 112% greater than the competition.
These businesses generated 33% more revenue too. As if that wasn’t enough to drive home the impact of proper delegation, this skill also contributed to greater job creation. In summary, these executives were able to help their businesses grow faster, earn more, and hire new people all while doing fewer routine tasks. Not a bad tradeoff, huh?
6 Tips for Delegating Tasks
1. Identify the right tasks to delegate.
The first step in proper delegation is determining which tasks to pass on. Start by identifying to-dos that only you can perform. These are a no-go in terms of delegation. Next, rank the remaining tasks by their timeline and complexity. Consider delegating duties that are time-consuming yet relatively simple first. Routine and repetitive tasks that don’t require much oversight are perfect candidates. There’s a low likelihood of mistakes, and you free up considerable time.
2. Choose the appropriate members.
When you’re done delegating the daily to-dos, you’re getting into higher-stakes territory. This is when the focus should shift to experienced and trustworthy individuals. Match these tasks to team members based on specific experience or unique skill sets, leveraging their individual strengths to ensure the best outcomes. Begin by gradually introducing these essential tasks to assess their capabilities. This strategically builds confidence but also optimizes team performance.
3. Provide clear instructions.
No matter the task you’re assigning, it should come with clear and concise instructions. These guidelines act as a blueprint for team members to reference anytime they have questions. It keeps everyone on the right track, reduces mistakes, and increases the success of delegation. Project managers won’t be stuck answering the same questions over and over again which would fly in the face of the entire goal.
4. Offer clear and actionable goals.
Simple tasks such as checking emails, posting safety checklists, or collecting phone numbers only require instructions. Alternatively, more complex tasks that can’t be summed up with step-by-step guides need to be accompanied by clear goals. These objectives give team members a direction that can help fill in the inevitable blanks along the path to accomplishment. The classic SMART acronym tells us every objective should be:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
5. Maintain the right amount of oversight.
After projects have been delegated with clear instructions and goals, all you have to do is maintain the right amount of oversight. This is one of the hardest balances for project managers to strike. Too much of an over-the-shoulder presence can hinder productivity and eat up even more of your time. On the flip side, no oversight might fail to keep a project from going off the rails. If you’re squeezed for time, appoint someone to conduct this level of management on your behalf.
6. Hire the right people.
An inability to delegate might be a sign your business has a hiring issue. After all, the success of delegation is predicated on the ability of employees to understand instructions, handle tasks independently, and leverage their expertise to contribute to broader goals. Project managers should be on the lookout for craftsmen with the skills and experience needed to enable the delegation of important tasks. This is essential for short-term success and long-term growth.
Struggling to find the right craftsmen for your team? Madden Industrial Craftsmen can help! We specialize in pairing talented professionals with leading industrial, manufacturing, and construction companies. Get matched with dozens of best-fit candidates by filling out a job order. It only takes a few minutes!
