Why don't you just do it yourself?

One of my flaws in my leadership journey was that I'd delegate a task, and then micromanage the outcome. I used to think I was good at it, and that I was developing my people and striving for better.

I'd hand over the task, set the deadline and expectations. Then the work would come back and I couldn't leave it alone.

Tweak this. Add that. Take this away. Tweak it again.

I called it quality control and ensuring the language was right. But it was actually control. And it cost me hours. I'd sit there rewording something that was already good enough, because it wasn't quite how I'd have written it myself. Or I'd think, if we just add this we can make our point even stronger.

One of my managers finally said to me: "Why don't you just do it yourself Steve?"

Fair point, I thought.

What I was actually doing was telling the person who did the work: what you gave me wasn't good enough. And whilst we need to make sure work is of a certain standard, hitting my team with this every time was really hurting their confidence.

So I came up with the art of delegation.

The Art of Delegation

Delegating well isn't just handing over a task. It's four things, and I've split it into key areas:

I built this checklist which has been a game changer for me. It's broken into the four stages so you know where you are in each.

Before you delegate: do you actually know the outcome you're after, and have you picked the right person for it?

When you hand it over: have you explained why it matters, set a clear standard, and given them the authority to actually do the job?

While the work is happening: are you available without hovering, or are you five minutes from taking it back?

When it's done: are you acknowledging the effort, not just marking the outcome, and noting what this person's ready for next?

Next time you get the urge to tweak something that's come back to you, stop and ask: is this actually wrong, or just not how I'd have done it?

If it's the second one, leave it alone.

Grab the Delegation Checklist here and let me know how you go!

The exact four steps are in this, one page, ready to run with your team.

Talk soon

Steve