The Do’s and Don’ts of Delegation

As a supervisor, it can be hard to let go and delegate. But once you’re comfortable with delegation, only then will your team truly thrive. A team that shares tasks and responsibilities is typically more productive, collaborative and efficient than teams that work in silos.

During the most recent New Supervisors in Government Community of Practice session, Sally Mayberry, Employee Engagement and Communications Manager, National Parks Service, shared her insights on effective delegation.

Let’s take a quick look at her list of do’s and don’ts:

Do’s:

Focus on the positives of delegation: You’ll get more time back to do other high-level tasks and feel a sense of relief for having more breathing room.
Let your team know you trust them: By giving them important assignments, it shows you believe in their abilities to handle new projects and tasks.
Share your overall expectations: By explaining the goals of the task without micromanaging, you can still give your employees the ability to demonstrate creativity and flexibility while they problem-solve.

Don’ts:

Let fear take over: A loss of control can be scary, but it can also hold you and your employees back from real growth.
Take a one-size-fits-all approach to delegation: You need to understand each person you work with and assign tasks that cater to their strengths.

For more helpful tips and takeaways from this online training, watch the video on-demand now.