Delegation is Essential for Leadership!

A 2015 Gallup study of the entrepreneurial talents of 143 CEOs on the Inc. 500 list showed that companies run by executives who effectively delegate authority grow faster, generate more revenue, and create more jobs.

But why is delegation so important?

I call the role of being a leader and manager a Strategic Manager.  With this role, it is critical to conduct the following behaviors:

• Create a Vision:  Assist your team in seeing the path forward, the end goal.
• Influencing Change: Assisting others in awareness, understanding, and adoption of change.  Using different skills and processes to gain buy in and alignment to change.
• Coaching Others:  Providing guidance to others by helping them think through challenges and identifying a mutually agreed upon path forward to gain positive results.

These are three behaviors that should not be delegated.  These are the key behaviors for the manager/leader. And these behaviors can’t be done in the leaders “spare time.”  We all know that doesn’t work. We must be focused on the vision, the change, and coaching others to be successful.

Therefore, it is critical that leaders learn to delegate any and all tasks that can be handled by their direct reports or teams.

Take some time today to review your to-do list.  What can be delegated to someone else? And what needs to be added to your to do list to help you drive a vision, influence change, and coach others?

According to John C. Maxwell, author of Developing the Leaders Around You, “If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.”