Delegation

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What You'll Learn

AI Challenge coach
Common Delegation Challenges
Industry-Standard Expectations for Delegation
How to Delegate
When to Delegate
Delegation at Early-Stage Startups
Common Delegation Wins

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Common Delegation Challenges
These are common challenges people face when gaining expertise in delegation. Tackling these challenges head-on can help you learn this skill quicker.
It's a lot of work to make sure I'm delegating fairly and giving team members equal opportunities
It's hard to trust others to complete tasks to the same standard as I would
I need to provide much clearer instructions and expectations when delegating tasks
Not sure how to delegate effectively when everyone else on the team is already overwhelmed
Tough to balance delegation with my own workload and ensuring I am available to provide support
Add your own to track your progress and inspire others
Industry-Standard Expectations for Delegation
These are performance expectations for delegation at different competency levels. Understanding these expectations can help you measure your own proficiency and orient your growth.
AwareNoviceIntermediateAdvancedInnovator
Aware
Recognize the importance of delegation. Eager to learn the basics and apply best practices in the workplace.
Novice
Follow instructions and complete simple delegated tasks on time. Understand the importance of delegation in achieving team goals.
Intermediate
Delegate tasks to appropriate team members based on their skills and strengths. Communicate clear expectations and provide feedback on delegated tasks.
Advanced
Delegate complex tasks and projects effectively, considering dependencies and potential issues. Monitor progress and adjust delegation as needed to ensure successful completion.
Innovator
Delegate responsibilities across teams and departments to achieve organizational objectives. Train and mentor others on effective delegation techniques and practices.
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How to Delegate
Effective delegation requires clear communication, trust, and understanding of team members' strengths and weaknesses. It involves setting clear expectations, providing resources, and empowering team members to make decisions.
- How to Delegate Work So It Actually Gets Done
  Dave Bailey, Co-Founder & Brazil CEO, Delivery Hero
  Dave sets some expectation with delegation (the person assigned the task may not do it as well as you!), and then six steps on how to do it right, including: 1) Delegate problems, not tasks 2) Coach, don’t instruct
- Delegating or micromanaging, threading the needle
  Steven Sinofsky, Board Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
  Steven provides detail on how to delegate, get Status Updates, and increase the chances of project success without micromanaging.
- Delegation
  James Stanier, SVP Engineering, Brandwatch
  James explains how to use the right mix of instruction and Coaching to get your direct reports to execute well and independently on tasks.
- Delegation is an art, not a science
  Lara Hogan, VP, Engineering, Kickstarter
  Lara Hogan provides a simple, three-part template for delegating to a teammate and walks through an example scenario.
When to Delegate
Delegation should be used when tasks require specialized skills or expertise, when there is a need for efficiency, or when leaders need to focus on higher-level tasks. It is important to consider team members' workload and capabilities before delegating tasks.
- How to Prevent Burnout by Delegating Tasks
  Heather Natour, Engineering Manager, Lyft
  Heather provides specific delegation tips relating to managing time constraints and meeting commitments.
- How a single conversation with my boss changed my view on delegation and failure
  Margaret Gould Stewart, VP of Product Design, Facebook
  Margaret explains how delegation inherently involves some risk. Delegation helps team members learn new skills, and initially they may do the assigned task slower and less effectively. If there isn't a little bit of "going off the rails" happening, then you're not delegating enough.
- Delegating Decision-Making
  Matt Blumberg, Chairman & CEO, Return Path
  Matt provides a framework for when to delegate decisions (as opposed to projects).
- How to Delegate Meeting Attendance
  Jacob Kaplan-Moss, Distinguished Member Of Technical Staff, Latacora
  Jacob offers specific and tactical guidance on how to delegate the responsibility of attending a regular meeting.
Delegation at Early-Stage Startups
At early-stage startups, delegation can be challenging due to limited resources and a small team. However, it is crucial for growth and scalability. Leaders should prioritize tasks and delegate based on team members' skills and interests. Communication and feedback are key to successful delegation in this context.
- DIY vs Delegate
  Fred Wilson, Managing Director, Union Square Ventures
  Fred provides some practical tips on how early-stage founders can get better at delegation, such as: ask investors and other founders for help when you hit 50 team members, and hire a "utility infielder" as your first business hire.
Common Delegation Wins
Here are common milestones and achievements that people reach when learning delegation. You can use them as inspiration to reach your own goals.
I'm spending a larger percentage of my time on high-impact work compared to last month
Delegating a project to my direct report gave them an opportunity to grow
I identified three recurring tasks that I can delegate
I was able to delegate attending a regular stakeholder meeting to a less-experienced team member
Add your own to track your progress and inspire others