4 Guidelines For Delegating Tasks To Someone

By Justice Dzido On Oct 1, 2018

When you’re juggling a lot of different work-related commitments, delegating tasks can be a key component in keeping yourself sane and getting everything done in a timely manner. Not everyone can do it all, and the right help can be invaluable.

That said, there’s a right and a wrong way to delegate things. Below are some of the tips to ensure you do it the right way.

Pick the Right Person

I’ve worked at a number of places where work was delegated based on seniority rather than who would be the best person to handle the job. Before delegating a task, consider who on your team has the skill set necessary to complete the task.

Maybe that person is a senior member of the staff, or maybe they’re a new hire. The key here is to assign task based on the person, not their position.

If it’s a task that doesn’t need to be done ASAP, consider having another employee work with that person who was best-suited for the role.

Next time you need something similar done you might have two qualified people to choose from.

Be Specific

It’s easy for things to get lost in translation when you’re passing them off. Try to be as specific as possible when communicating your needs so the person handling the task knows what you want and is able to do things right the first time.

Set a Deadline

Even if you don’t have a specific “deadline” for a delegated task, come up with an arbitrary one that you give someone the first time you pass a responsibility their way. A reasonable deadline can make sure the task doesn’t get forgotten and can give you a good idea of when you can expect the work to be completed.

Provide Feedback

Whenever you delegate a task, be sure to provide feedback to the person who completed it once it is done. That means offering positive feedback for a job well done, and constructive criticism for a job that could have used a bit more love. Positive feedback will encourage that person to do a good job again in the future, and constructive criticism can help iron out any kinks that came up.