Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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June 16, 2009

Delegation 2: I Can’t Let Someone Else Do That!!

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:39 am

No One Can Do This Like I Would

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Delegation is the art and a science of communication needs. For most of us, it’s a skill we acquire, not a talent that comes naturally. Delegation takes practice in order to fully share
enough information for another person to complete a task successfully. Have you ever left a meeting sure you knew what to do, only to realize later that you didn’t understand. Yeah, me too.

More than that, it takes the ability to communicate the importance of the task and to negotiate a work agreement that shifts the accountability for making sure that the task is on time, complete, and of high quality.

Before you delegate a job, have a plan to communicate to the person who’s joining your project. Great communication will help in making sure that you pass on accountability and a sense of mission with the work that you’re handing over.

The minute we delegate, communication becomes key. Unfortunately in an effort to show respect for other professionals we often tell them less than they need to know and still think we’re telling them too much. In like manner rather than looking like they don’t know, the often ask less than they might.

What’s the single biggest error you find you make when you’re asking someone to do work for you?

Tomorrow … Delegation Happens: Working with Friends Can Be Dangerous

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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3 Comments to “Delegation 2: I Can’t Let Someone Else Do That!!”

  1. June 16th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
    Nile said

    I have had that happen. However, I was sure my words were cut and dry. It was one of those things where I asked for someone to step up and do certain things - even told them exactly what I expected… and they assumed I meant that I was stepping down and they could take over. It was a mess!

    Communication was definitely lost somewhere and I ended up making a long list of what is expected for each position. It sounded dumb, but now it works.

    *plugging this on twitter*

  2. June 16th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
    Tim Bursch said

    Liz,
    I hope you’re well. I like your tips on communication. My challenge has been details. People did not get the details or I didn’t give them clearly. It seems like when the tone was open and vulnerable (it’s okay to ask questions) that projects go smoothly. When tasks are just handed out with directions, not so good. 2-way communication and humility are important.

  3. June 17th, 2009 at 3:36 am
    vabn contract hire said

    yes this is good Thoughts.Coordination is the act of coordinating, making different people or things work together for a goal or effect.

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