Get the most of your time by learning how to leverage it.
I often hear the sentence from clients and friends, “I need to delegate more.” Then they tell me, “I don’t think anyone will understand my work, take it seriously as I do, and do it well.” It is often mistakenly thought that delegation means losing control when it improves results.
They are left to do everything alone because nothing gets delegated.
The problem does not lie in the lack of capable and committed people. The problem is that people don’t know how to delegate and are afraid to let go, even a bit. As a result, they assume there is no way forward.
Here are my recommendations for becoming a delegation rock star.
1. Research before making a decision.
To hire the right person, you should know what skills are required. Find someone with expertise in this area. Find someone with expertise using Mailchimp, Mailerlite or a similar program if you need to delegate newsletter setup.
When solo professionals consider hiring their friends, they often discover they lack the relevant experience after asking a few questions. In the same way, you wouldn’t ask a friend who knows nothing about cars to work on your vehicle.
Delegation of business needs to follow the same principle. Communication, trust and understanding the other person’s strengths and weaknesses are key.
2. Plan ahead of time.
If you delegate work to someone, give them enough time to complete it and schedule it into their calendar. Prepare in advance.
Before I publish my newsletter, I ask my proofreaders if they can read it. There is no assumption made when I send it over.
Also, expect “no” or “not this week.” Respect their schedule and be prepared to adjust yours. Make sure to follow up and give a deadline if necessary. Lastly, acknowledge their efforts by thanking them.
3. Make sure you provide specific information.
A simple “Can you handle this?” is insufficient information to provide the person you are delegating to. In your head, it may seem self-explanatory. Include details, timelines, and supporting documents.
As an example, “I am ready to publish my newsletter. I have attached the Word document and images I’d like to use. Can we schedule it for this Thursday at 10 a.m.? Identify the steps that are needed to complete the task. Assist if necessary.
4. Set up check-in and control points.
Schedule check-in points for milestones once you’ve delegated a project. Misunderstandings about a task are not uncommon. Even if both of you think you understand. Regular meetings allow potential issues to be dealt with quickly and efficiently. In addition, this will help ensure work gets completed on time.
5. Establish communication.
Working with someone means having a relationship with them. Keeping it simple will help you maintain this relationship. You don’t need to be best friends to do business together. It only takes a simple “Thank you” or “How was your weekend?” to make someone’s day.
Don’t forget to answer project questions as soon as possible to stay on track. To work together requires good communication. It is necessary to be honest and open with each other. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.
Most of the time, the person assisting you is motivated to do a good job. When this does not happen, consider these five points to identify where you two may have gone wrong.
Delegation is a powerful way to leverage your time and get help with areas of your business where you lack expertise. It can be successful for your business and you when done correctly.
