How do you delegate effectively?

This is a BIG question for people.

I personally didn’t automatically know how to do this when I became a business owner.

But once I began building a team within my company, I had no choice but to figure it out.

I had to work at it and learn how to do it more effectively because it didn’t come naturally to me. I still have plenty of room for improvement, and for me it’s a work in progress.

Whenever I find myself slipping in this department, I go back to a process I learned several years ago to get things back on track.

Here’s how you can do this too:

First, start with clarity on what needs to be done. Define it. You won’t be able to hand tasks and projects over effectively if you’re still fuzzy on what exactly they are!

Then, clearly explain to the person you’re delegating to what it is you want done. You need to be absolutely certain that they understand what they’re supposed to do.

After you’ve made sure they’re clear, you’ll want to explain your WHY. Tell them why you want it done the way you want.

This is essentially sharing your method, because otherwise people will often come up with their own way. When that happens, you risk them taking shortcuts that may torpedo your desired outcome.

This is a step business owners often skip, to their detriment. However, I think you’ll find that this empowers others tremendously.

Next, it’s all about showing them how to do what you’re asking without being the dreaded “micromanager.” Teach, be clear, and make sure they understand the process. Confirm it.

Finally, let them know the deadline by which you’re expecting it to be completed. It’s crucial to be clear on this, and ensure you’re in agreement about the date, time and the method by which they will be delivering what they’ve done.

You can’t do it all yourself, and you definitely can’t grow without getting a handle on the art of delegation. Follow this process and not only will you get so much more get done, you’ll keep your profits healthy too.