Delegate Tasks to the Right Person

SELECTING THE RIGHT PERSON: To whom should tasks be delegated? Selecting the right subordinate to do the work is an evaluative process, and managers must be able to identify individuals both capable and willing to handle responsibility.

DETERMINING EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY: A careful review should be made of past assumptions about personnel. Some employees’ capabilities may be overestimated, others underestimated. A personnel survey or personal interview is an excellent tool managers can use to reassess their subordinates, determine what additional duties each believes he or she can now adequately handle, and recognize the goals and direction toward which the employee aspires to advance. This will provide managers with insight into employee interests and aspirations, while pinpointing those presently qualified for delegation.

DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITY: A manager should also consider which subordinates have made independent decisions within the parameters of their position and authority, and whether these decisions were “right,” even though they may not necessarily have agreed with past management decisions. Employees are certainly ready for more responsibility and authority when they have shown the ability to make decisions that are both innovative and correct.

After the evaluation process is completed, managers should be able to separate those subordinates to whom delegation can be made with a good chance of success from those who are unsuited. Then managers should show patience. Subordinates’ ability to handle added responsibility and authority comes in stages.

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CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.

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