There are many ways to delegate effectively, and there are a lot of important things to keep in mind when you're ready to build a high-performance team. But sometimes, the best way to focus in on what you should do is by taking a look at what you shouldn't do. Here are five "don'ts" when it comes to effective delegation.
Don't: Focus on the Process
Everyone has a different way of working, and no two people do things exactly the same way. If you get caught up in the work process and in trying to control every step of the process your team members follow when they complete assignments, not only will it be difficult to build trusting and respectful relationships, but you will spend unnecessary time and effort micromanaging.
There are many ways to do things and in most cases, the process isn't as important as the result. Instead of focusing on the path taken, put your focus on the result achieved.
Don't: Become the Bottleneck
It's important to be aware of everything going on within your team so you can ensure work is being completed satisfactorily and that assignments are made appropriately. But this should be a peripheral review, not a hands-on management process. If you continue to oversee all data and communication going in and out of your team, you will likely become the bottleneck, slowing down the process and making it difficult for your team to do what they need to do.
A good team needs trust to thrive. Give your team members the leverage they need to prove that they deserve your trust, and you will empower them to succeed.
Don't: Withhold Information
It's impossible to do an exceptional job unless there is easy access to information that's necessary to get the job done. In fact, there may be no quicker collapse of a team than when there is a failure to share important information. Data sharing can be accomplished with a central data storage and collaboration area that standardizes information and keeps everyone on the same page.
You may have different team members working on different aspects of your business, but it can be helpful for each team member to have an awareness and understanding of other members of the team in order to build a collaborative and effective team.
Don't: Hesitate to Share Wins ... and Losses
As the leader, you are ultimately accountable for the performance of your team, especially when the result isn't satisfactory. You are also the primary recipient of success and accolades when the job is done well. In both cases, it's important to allow for trickle down.
While you shouldn't completely pass the buck when something goes wrong, your team members should be held accountable for the roles they played in a setback so they can learn, grow and improve. And conversely, every time you are commended for a successful accomplishment that a team member contributed to, that win and recognition should be passed on to motivate and inspire your team to continue working hard.
Don't: Revert to Your Old Ways
It takes time and commitment to build a team that is based on trust, respect and hard work, and it's not always easy. When the going gets tough and you hit a snag in your delegation process, don't throw in the towel. Analyze what went wrong and what needs to change to fix it, learn from the challenge, and take the steps you need to take to get back on track.
Getting into an effective delegation mindset can take time, but once you have clarity on what you should and shouldn't do to manage your team, you are on the path to delegation success.
