Most leaders say they want to delegate more. And most leaders struggle to actually do it.
The concerns we hear are real:
- “I want to trust my people, but the stakes are high if they get it wrong.”
- “It’ll take longer to package up the work for delegating than to just do it myself.”
- “I don’t feel right putting my responsibilities on other people.”
When we dig in, the root cause is often a too-simple mental model around delegation: I own it, you own it, or we do it together.
In reality, the most effective delegation happens in the in-between. I own the decision, but I’m going to consult with you first. You own it, but get my advice before you make your decision. It’s yours, but I reserve the right to ask questions about how you decided what you decided (not to override but to understand).
We recently published a comprehensive guide on how to skillfully navigate delegation. It’s based on our real-world experience using Jurgen Appelo’s excellent 7 Levels of Delegation model.
If you’re a leader wanting to delegate more (or more effectively), you’ll learn how to do it with clarity and alignment. If you’re on the other end, having work delegated to you, this will help you get what you need to be successful.
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