Delegation: Tips For Success
Choose Wisely
Empower and Trust
Communicate Clearly
Follow Up
Check for Understanding
Try This!
Always offer constructive feedback and genuine appreciation once the task is complete. Also, make sure to assign credit where it's due! Giving recognition reinforces their ownership of the task and builds confidence for future responsibilities.
Don't just ask, "Do you understand?" This will only elicit a standard “yes” or “no” response. Instead, ask open-ended questions like “What questions do you have?” or "What other details will help you be successful?" As a first task, consider asking your delegate for a project overview that specifies the request, deadline, and expected outcome to confirm clarity and buy-in from both parties!
Identify tasks that don’t require your specific expertise or that others are actually ready and excited to take on. Look for tasks that are repetitive or easily teachable.
Explain the task's full scope, the desired final result, the firm timeline, and all available resources. Don't leave any room for ambiguity.
Provide the necessary support up front, then step back. Once the task is clear, resist the urge to micromanage. In our book, micromanagement is a bad word. Trust your colleague(s) to manage the process.
Try This! Identify a recurring task in your workweek that could be completed by someone else with clear guidance and minimal training (ex. preparing meeting notes, organizing supplies, or updating a shared calendar). Create a brief delegation plan outlining:
- Who could take on the task and why they’re a good fit.
- What success looks like, including specific deliverables and deadlines.
- When you’ll schedule a short check-in to review progress and offer feedback.
As you design your plan, focus on communicating expectations clearly and setting the person up for success.
Time Management & Prioritization | Delegation
Daria Butler
Created on November 3, 2025
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Transcript
Delegation: Tips For Success
Choose Wisely
Empower and Trust
Communicate Clearly
Follow Up
Check for Understanding
Try This!
Always offer constructive feedback and genuine appreciation once the task is complete. Also, make sure to assign credit where it's due! Giving recognition reinforces their ownership of the task and builds confidence for future responsibilities.
Don't just ask, "Do you understand?" This will only elicit a standard “yes” or “no” response. Instead, ask open-ended questions like “What questions do you have?” or "What other details will help you be successful?" As a first task, consider asking your delegate for a project overview that specifies the request, deadline, and expected outcome to confirm clarity and buy-in from both parties!
Identify tasks that don’t require your specific expertise or that others are actually ready and excited to take on. Look for tasks that are repetitive or easily teachable.
Explain the task's full scope, the desired final result, the firm timeline, and all available resources. Don't leave any room for ambiguity.
Provide the necessary support up front, then step back. Once the task is clear, resist the urge to micromanage. In our book, micromanagement is a bad word. Trust your colleague(s) to manage the process.
Try This! Identify a recurring task in your workweek that could be completed by someone else with clear guidance and minimal training (ex. preparing meeting notes, organizing supplies, or updating a shared calendar). Create a brief delegation plan outlining:
- Who could take on the task and why they’re a good fit.
- What success looks like, including specific deliverables and deadlines.
- When you’ll schedule a short check-in to review progress and offer feedback.
As you design your plan, focus on communicating expectations clearly and setting the person up for success.