It seems like at least once a week I hear the same five words from clients: “I need to delegate more.” And then, immediately afterward, they say, “But I don’t think there’s anybody who will understand my work, take it as seriously as I do and do a great job.” I would not have been able to take an entire week away from my laptop if I did not have Alexis to handle the business. Delegation creates time for other things.
When you think you can’t delegate you’re left doing everything for yourself. The problem is not a lack of capable and committed people willing to help — it’s that people simply don’t know how to delegate. They’re afraid to let go, even a little, and so they assume there’s no way forward.
As a recovering “must do all the things” addict, here’s what I recommend to get out of your own way and become a delegation Jedi:
1. Do your research.
Find out what skills are needed by the person you’re going to hire. Just like hiring an accountant to do your taxes, you’ll want to find someone with expertise. If you need to delegate setting up your email newsletter, find someone with experience using Mailchimp, Constant Contact or a similar program.
2. Take time to plan.
Give the person doing the work enough time to schedule it into their calendar and get it done. This requires planning ahead. You need to be prepared, too, for the answer to be “no” or “not this week.”
3. Provide specific information.
“Can you handle this?” is not enough information for the person you’re delegating to – even if it’s a simple and (in your mind) self-explanatory task. Include details, timelines, and any supporting information. Be thorough: include deadlines and guidelines about how you’d like the work to be done.
4. Create regular check-in points.
If you’ve delegated a project, schedule check-in points for milestones to make sure things stay on track. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings about the required tasks even when you both think you understand. Regular meetings will help with discovery and allow for adjustments.
5. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
When you work with someone, you’re in a relationship with them. You don’t need to be BFFs, but simple things that work in your other relationships will work in this one, too. A simple, “Thank you – great job,” or “How was your weekend?” will go a long way. Be sure to answer questions about the project quickly, so that it can stay on track and on time. Your work together will require conversation – either written or verbal.
Delegation is a powerful way to maximize your time and get help with areas of your business where you might not have expertise. Done well, it can be a big win for you and your business.
