4 steps to feel grounded as you delegate
Everyone has a technique for loading the dishwasher. Some are meticulous and follow the manufacturers’ guidelines. Others are haphazard and spread around the dishes with no rhyme or reason. I have a way I like the dishes loaded. It has been honed through years of trial and error. I found what works best for our specific dishwasher, the uses of our dishes, and proportions of plastic to non-plastic. I recently had to adjust as I realized small plastic plates were used more frequently and not getting fully clean.
When my mother-in-law comes to town, she loves to help by doing the dishes. I appreciate the help for the few days she is in town. I get a break from cleaning up after dinner and can focus my evening energy on other activities. To enjoy that break, I must relinquish my control over the dishwasher and be comfortable with delegating responsibility.
I am a control freak (as previously addressed here). When she is coming to town, I mentally prepare myself to relinquish control. I regularly remind myself that the dishes need to be done, period. Not done my way. I tell myself that the benefits of her feeling good about helping and me getting to relax more in the evening are worth the dishes being loaded different. If the outcome is the same - the dishes get clean, we are in a good place.
Whether it is delegating dishwasher loading or bookkeeping for your business, it all requires letting go of something. Delegating means it is done differently. Delegating means you can focus on activities that are a better use of your skills or reduce how thinly stretched you are. Everyone has different reasons delegating is difficult. For me it is about loss of control. For others it may be that they enjoy doing the task or it provides a sense of achievement or pride.
Delegating tasks is not about changing the necessary outcomes nor does it mean you ignore what is happening. There are times when you need to insert yourself into a situation you have delegated. I will need to remove the high-end knife or raise the tray level to accommodate a big pot. The same applies in your business. You need to hold your team accountable for achieving the required outcome and allow them to leverage your years of experience to be more effective at the task.
Delegating is challenging. We know the value of focusing on the right activities as the business owner and we know that giving team members opportunities to learn new skills and grow in their roles will benefit the business. But knowing that does not make it easy.
In lieu of making delegating easy, I have 4 steps to help you feel grounded in your decision to delegate. For each delegated task or activity, document these facts.
The reason you are delegating the activity. Why does this need to be removed from your plate? Why is the person you are delegating the task to the right person to take it on?
The challenge you personally face in delegating this activity. What gets in your way when you try to delegate? What causes you to jump back in and take over the task again?
The benefits to both you and your team member from delegating the activity or task. What will you focus on in place of this activity? What skills or growth will your team member gain from completing the activity? How will the business grow or benefit if you are not completing this task?
The process for keeping you informed of progress and outcomes. What mechanisms will your team member use to keep you updated? How will you hold the team member accountable to the required outcomes of completing the task or activity?
As your business grows, you have no choice but to delegate. You cannot do everything. Having clear understanding of why you are delegating specific tasks and activities and how you intend to stay informed on progress will provide the clarity both you and your team member need to ensure things stay delegated and you can focus on the activities that are most impactful.
With my mother-in-law helping with the dishwasher, I am freed up to enjoy a break. I also know that I am strengthening my delegating skills so that I can continue to delegate to team members without angst and be better able to release control and not rearrange the dishwasher every night when my kid is old enough to load the dishes.