If we are honest, we sometimes delegate tasks as a means of clearing our to-do lists. It may feel easier to get it off our plate than to start a deeper exploration as to whether the task itself is worth the effort. It won’t be our effort so what do we care?
And yet, this act of delegation is a wonderful opportunity to dive a little deeper into the actual value to us of what we are delegating.
In this spirit, ask yourself:
- What will be different when this task has been completed?
- What will it have accomplished?
- How do I communicate this to the other person?
Also:
- Am I clear on the cost?
- On what might not be done because of this?
- On what else might have been delegated?
Remember, for delegation to be truly effective the task has to have meaning, and hence be worth doing over anything else no matter who is doing it.
“Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all.” – Peter Drucker
How Am I Delegating?
If the task is truly worth doing, then ask yourself how the task is being delegated:
– What instructions have I provided?
– How am I asking that this task be done?
– Am I concerned solely with the outcome?
– Do I want it done in a certain way?
– Does the other person have the necessary skills and mindset?
– How do I know they have understood what I am asking?
These questions are merely intended to inspire. In truth, there is so much more to be curious about in terms of what, why and how we delegate.
Questions in the Image:
- How might I delegate more effectively?
- Am I delegating something worth doing?
- Am I communicating what this means to me?
Want to Read More Around This Topic?
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (link to Amazon.co.uk). This book emphasizes the importance of focusing on what truly matters in order to achieve meaningful results across your world. It provides actionable advice on how to eliminate distractions and prioritise tasks that align with your long-term vision.
Nurturing Curiosity – Daily Practice: This is part of the Nurturing Curiosity series of tools, insights and questions designed to help nurture curiosity as part of our daily practice. In point of fact, every interaction we have is an opportunity to question what we are observing and how we and others are seeing the world. Also remember that questions come in many forms throughout our day and indeed our nights as we explore our dreams. Dreams offer an endless stream of questions – Does this have some deeper meaning? Or indeed, might I just go with the flow and not overthink this?
About Tom O’Leary
Tom guides bold pioneers through inner transitions towards regenerative futures.
His primary offering – through a process he calls Ecological Coaching – is about working with leaders on the mindset, skillset and structural shifts that will power their organisation’s outer transition.
This means helping leaders thrive while creating ripples of positive change within their organisation and most importantly for the communities they serve and ultimately life on this planet.
It is thus not just about the leader as an “individual” but rather as part of an ecology of relationships. Within this ecology, he helps the leader feel heard, gain clarity, take action, build confidence and thrive all in service of something bigger.
How Might Tom Help?
My first invitation is to take maximum advantage of the free content on this site.
- As you are reading this, you are clearly on a fascinating journey. If you feel you would benefit from us doing some work together on some aspect of your journey, please explore this page: How Can I Serve?
- I also endeavour to answer every email so if you have any queries do reach out.
