Delegating effectively is an important skill for anyone in a leadership or management role. When done properly, delegation can help you increase your productivity, develop your team members’ skills, and free up time for higher-level tasks.

But why is delegation so hard to do well?

Getting comfortable with delegation can be a gradual process, especially if you’re used to taking on tasks yourself. Depending on your circumstances, a number of things could be getting in your way.

Do you trust the person you’re delegating to? If you lack faith in their abilities or fear that they won’t meet your expectations, you may hesitate to delegate important tasks to them. If you don’t have enough experience to understand the extent of the person’s skills, you can work on building that knowledge and trust through open communication and feedback. Familiarize yourself with the strengths, skills, and interests of your team members. Identify their areas of expertise and their capacity to take on additional responsibilities.

But what if you perceive significant skill gaps with the person you’re delegating to? You may be reluctant to delegate important tasks because you fear that you’re setting them up for failure. However, you can use this as an opportunity for professional development by providing training or support to bridge those gaps. You can gradually delegate tasks that align with individuals’ capabilities.

Maybe you believe that you’re the only one who will complete the task to the desired level of quality. It’s important to recognize that perfectionism can lead to overburdening yourself and hinder team development. Emphasize the importance of progress and learning rather than flawless outcomes.

Similarly, do you worry that you’re the only one who can do it the “right” without making mistakes? Sometime people struggle with delegating because they want to maintain control over all aspects of a project. Often there is no “right” way, and different ways of doing things can b e just as good, if not better, than the approach you might have taken.

Oh, no, what if they do a better job than you might have and overshadow you?! This is a good opportunity to examine why you’re feeling a lack of self confidence and/or worried about your job security. Contrary to the worry that they might shine brighter than you, effective delegation showcases your leadership abilities and fosters a collaborative work environment.

Maybe you’d be fine with delegating, but it just takes so much time. Yes, it does require an upfront investment to communicate expectations, provide support, and monitor progress. If you’re overwhelmed with your own workload, you may find it challenging to allocate that time, but prioritizing delegation and time management can help overcome this barrier in the long run.

Overcoming these barriers involves self-reflection, building trust, improving communication, and gradually expanding your comfort zone. Remember that delegation is a skill that can be developed and refined over time, benefiting both you and your team members.

What steps can you take to ensure successful delegation?

Make sure you clearly communicate the context around why the work needs to be done, your expectations, guidelines, and andy specific requirements when delegating a task. Are there deadlines, constraints, or pitfalls to be aware of? Having good alignment from the start helps avoid miscommunications and missteps.

Create an environment where open communication and continuious feedback are encouraged. Ask for their ideas on how they might go about meeting the objective and allow them to provide input, share their concerns, and ask questions. Feedback can help improve the delegation process and build stronger working relationships.

Offer support and guidance throughout the task/project. Be answer questions, provide necessary resources, and offer advice when needed. Showing that you are there to assist and support them builds trust and confidence.

At the end of the task/project, reflect on what went well and identify ways to improve for future delegation efforts. Recognize and celebrate their achievements when they successfully complete delegated tasks/projects. Also adjust your approach based on your observations and the feedback you received. Continual learning and refinement for all parties will help you become more comfortable and effective at delegating.