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Delegate for Development
Proper delegation is the key-stone to
effective management. And this is because there's
self interest involved:
·
gives the time to concentrate on your real work: planning and other managerial
functions
·
enables you to move about your patch, network and demonstrate your availability
for a promotion
·
optimizes use of your team's skills, gives the whole team a good reputation
·
demonstrates faith and trust in staff, powerful motivators
·
develops new skills, spreads them around
Delegation is not an optional extra; it is the only way to run an outfit
effectively. BUT… beware of poor delegation habits…see what some
responses may be:
-
I get all the dirty jobs no one wants (like Dirty Harry)
-
At last, I got a great assignment that was right down my alley but the Boss
ruined it by constantly butting in with advice
-
It's past the deadline? No wonder its now on my desk!
-
Nope! I haven't the foggiest notion what the Boss does.
Delegation does not mean that responsibility also gets delegated! It stays with
you, so on your quality of
judgment, your success in, so far, having trained your staff to tackle fresh
challenges rides your reputation. Bad choice can severe consequences.. But fill
in your boss beforehand and the consequences will not be serious. Delegation includes the right to make
the wrong decision and learn from the experience.
Delegation can also be seen as a
reward: to proxy
for you at the seminar at that 5 –Star hotel with the terrific buffet! The
memories will keep them going through the sweat and the frustration of the daily
grind. Points
on delegation worth remembering:
-
define the task being delegated
-
standards
-
results desired/ when
-
ask him to attend one meeting with you, then be ‘away on duty' at time of next
meeting, leaving him to ‘fill in' for you
-
let it be known to all that when you're out, he may be contacted
-
judicious monitoring, do not overdo
-
give him the resources to do the job
-
feedback and recognition
-
delegating compels you to define your own
position.
-
Managers who don't delegate usually don't know where they are going.
QUESTIONS :
1.
What is meant by ‘delegation'? Why is it so important to Management?
2.
Illustrate the principle of delegation by giving two case studies,
briefly showing good delegation as well as bad delegation.