How to best delegate work amongst your team

Delegating work is a vital skill for any manager. Here are some tips on how best to delegate, without your team thinking you’re dodging work, or being lazy

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Management Today

Delegation is a win-win for both bosses and their staff; it allows managers to free-up time to focus on more important tasks, and enables other members of the team gain experience and take responsibility. 

That said, some employees will still try to avoid responsibility or, perhaps, finish their work – but not to the standard expected. A recent study suggested that employees believe that many of the tasks they are given are menial, and handed over by their seniors because they don’t want to do them themselves. Research from Management School at the University of Buffalo concluded that workers do not view delegation as an important skill – but rather as evidence of an absence of leadership. What they coin as ‘dysfunctional resistance’ can have negative economic consequences; indeed, it is believed to cost US companies an estimated $50 billion every year. 

This is not a lost cause, however, and competent managers should not give up all hope. An employee’s response to delegation is based on several variable factors which can be worked on. Kalan Norris, one of the researchers explains. “In order to successfully delegate, managers should consider the nature of the task, communicate openly, and ensure their subordinates understand their intentions, expectations and needs — especially if their team is working remotely…managers should delegate responsibilities to employees that align with their career and developmental goals”. 

Work relationships, and forming genuine bonds, are vital. A team member you talk to less often, for example, may need more transparency and explanation than someone you know better, or have worked with more frequently. Considerations such as these will reduce the likelihood of defiance.

Rather than laziness, delegation should be seen as sign of trust, a way of giving your team a sense of autonomy and empowerment.