
Have you ever thought about how to handle a team being a first-time manager? When someone is promoted as a manager for the very first time they experience both joy and fear.
Though you have all the required skills and qualities there will be challenges across the journey. There are many skills new managers need to have, but learning how to delegate is crucial. Delegation involves more than just assigning the task to people. Effective delegation helps to improve productivity and enhance teamwork. In This article, we will explore what delegation is and how a new manager can develop this skill for better team management. For more articles visit our website EMEA Entrepreneur.
What is Delegation?
Delegation involves assigning responsibility and authority to other people. It’s about trusting your team members to complete specific duties and you oversee and support their efforts. As a manager, you will assign tasks but it is the responsibility of team members to input their skills and knowledge to complete it effectively. Being a manager you should just tell what needs to be done and why to do it, the rest is upon the employee to crack how it can be done and implemented.
Why is Delegation Important?
Delegation is important for managers as it allows them to focus on high-priority tasks that require expertise. Reduces the manager’s workload and stress levels. It also helps to manage time more efficiently. Empower team members to develop new skills and complete their tasks efficiently. This will in turn help employees in career growth and enhance their abilities. Increases overall team productivity and performance of the team along with creating a positive work environment.
Step to Master Delegation
Identify Tasks to Delegate
Managers must identify their workload and look for tasks that can be delegated. Consider tasks that are time-consuming, or can be transferred to others with the appropriate skills. Create a list of your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Later arrange the tasks according to the priority of completion. Then, assign it to the team member who is capable of doing it and has the right skills required for the specific task
Choose the Right Person
Understanding your team member’s strengths and weaknesses helps you in work distribution. Select individuals who have the required skills and experience needed for the task, or who can learn and complete it as per your requirement. Ensure the selected team member can manage to take on additional responsibilities.
Communicate Clearly
Managers should clearly communicate and explain the tasks. What are the tasks, expected outcomes, deadlines, and requirements? Ensure the team member understands their responsibilities and support if you find them clueless to solve the problem. Analyze the task at each stage and update for any changes.
Provide Reason
Team members need to know why the work is given to that particular team. In many cases, managers assume that the team knows why the task needs to be done but it is wrong. This will lead to confusion and the team do not understand why they are working on it.
Provide Support and Resources
Delegation is not only about assigning tasks. Managers should provide support and resources to complete the work. Be available to guide and help your team when needed. You should regularly check the work process, give feedback, and provide solutions.
Conduct Review
After the task is completed conduct a review meeting for any corrections or improvements. Managers can also review their delegation process. Use this feedback to enhance your team performance and also to improve your delegation skills.
Conclusion
To conclude, delegation is an important skill that every manager should have. It is the art to get your work done by team members. Initially, first-time managers can adopt a simple delegation process and follow the steps mentioned in the article. Furthermore, you can use it to build a strong team, enhance the team’s productivity, and be an efficient manager.