Delegating effectively is an essential part of doing business. Companies live or die on the ability of the boss to allocate tasks to different people, driving productivity higher. 

Delegation, though, isn’t something that occurs automatically. It doesn’t always come naturally to people. In many cases, it’s a skill you need to learn. 

That’s where this post comes into the picture. We explore some of the ways to delegate effectively in your business and improve productivity. 

Why Delegate?

But first, before all that, it’s worth asking why leaders should bother delegating in the first place. 

Mostly, it has to do with your personal enjoyment of running a business. As a business owner or manager, you may often find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do. You could have the sense that the responsibility is entirely yours and that no one else can take your place. “If you want a job done properly, you need to do it yourself,” you might tell yourself. 

Unfortunately, this mindset can lead to burnout, stress, and lower quality of work. You may find that you enjoy running your business less and less every year. 

For that reason, that’s why learning how to delegate effectively is one of the most important skills you can develop to boost your business productivity and success. In a nutshell, it’s essential. 

What Is Delegation?

Just so that we’re on the same page, what is delegation precisely? 

Essentially, it’s the process of assigning tasks or responsibilities to others who have the skills to complete them. Delegation saves you time and energy and lets the business as a whole get more done. 

You need delegation to achieve better results. Failing to use it can make it challenging to progress your business how you want. 

How to Delegate Effectively and Boost Business Productivity

However, it’s not just about handing off work to someone else. You need to do it right. But how should you do that? 

There are several options. 

Choose People Who Excel in Particular Tasks

As you run your business, you’ll notice that some people seem absurdly adept at completing particular tasks. And these individuals can be a wonderful asset because they get so much done. 

For example, you may want to delegate a task that requires creativity to someone who has a flair for design or innovation. Likewise, you might leave the number-crunching to someone who’s introverted but loves solving problems. You might also outsource clerical or secretarial roles to a 24/7 live answering service. 

Once you have a group of specialists with specific skills, you’ll find that overall business productivity improves and things start getting done. This process then frees up resources, letting your business expand in new directions. 

Adopt Clear And Effective Communication

Another excellent way to delegate effectively and boost productivity is to adopt clear and consistent communication. It might sound basic, but you need to tell your team precisely what you need them to do and how. 

You can start with the expected outcome or goal of the task. Then, you’ll want to detail the scope and boundaries of what you want your colleagues to do. After that, give them a certain level of authority. Try to offer them as much freedom as they need to complete the tasks. 

Finally, outline what it means for them to have done the job properly. List various criteria they need to meet. 

Also, communicate why you want them to complete the task. Having a reason underlying the work can motivate team members and encourage them to strive for something beyond themselves and their individual career ambition. 

Keep Track Of Progress And Provide Feedback

The next step towards effective delegation is monitoring progress and providing feedback. Try to avoid the temptation to micromanage or interfere with the person’s work unless they ask for your help or guidance. Ideally, you want to step back and let them figure it out for themselves, even if they adopt what looks like inefficient practices. If things are slow, step in and offer guidance, but only if you see an obvious way to improve the situation. 

When it comes to feedback, be constructive. Acknowledge their achievements and contributions while suggesting how they can make their work better, if necessary. 

Celebrate Successes

The last step is to celebrate the successes that emerge from the delegation process. This part is just as much for your benefit as it is for the other person. Measure the outcome of the task against the criteria and method of evaluation that you agreed on with the person you delegated to.