When a manager delegates, the ultimate responsibility still remains with the manager. Delegation is NOT abdication; delegating is not turning one’s back and walking away. Responsibility for oversight remains with the manager as does the charge that the desired results are delivered timely in an efficient and effective manner. Delegation is an ongoing process, not a one-time act.

Effective delegation requires clarity; simply dumping work onto someone else’s plate isn’t delegating. Clarity around the following is vital:

  • Desired outcome as well has how it ties into overall mission
  • Available resources and extent of their authority
  • Communication channel/accountability checkpoints: frequency of check-ins/updates, when and for what ‘Heads Up’ are expected, expectations around feedback/coaching (hopefully mutual/two way!)

A good manager knows the strengths and interests of those they lead and uses that awareness when delegating; in general, it is not wise to ask a squirrel to swim or a duck to climb a tree. Delegation is one of the most powerful tools a manager has to develop those they are responsible for. Growing others is one of the most important duties and great joys of being a manager/leader; another is giving credit where credit is due, giving out earned praise blesses the receiver and the giver.

Closing Quotes:

“Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.” – Robert Half, 1910-2008

“You can delegate authority, but you cannot delegate responsibility.” – Byron Dorgan, b. 1942

“The art of delegation is one of the key skills any leader must master.” – Richard Branson, b. 1950, founder, Virgin Group

“No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.” – Andrew Carnegie, 1835-1919

“The inability to delegate effectively is one of the biggest problems I see with managers at all levels.” – Eli Broad, 1933-2021 

“When you delegate tasks, you create followers. When you delegate authority, you create leaders.” – Craig Groeschel, pastor, Life Church, b. 1967

“If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.” – John C. Maxwell, b. 1947, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership; The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier

Note: Every effort has been made to properly source any 3rd person material. I am, however, a voracious reader. If anyone finds any unattributed material, pls let me know asap and I will be delighted to give credit where credit is due.
“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832