JS Tip 555: What Tasks to Delegate

The second in a short series.

Last week, we talked about when to delegate.

This week, we’ll talk about what to delegate. 

We suggest four requirements: 

Requirement One: Tasks that you don’t have the time to do well. Notice the combination of factors: You’re crunched for time, and the time you have will not serve the task well. In these two circumstances, ask for help.

Requirement Two: Tasks someone else is good at (or perhaps even better than you are). Go with the expertise. If you’re not comfortable speaking in public, ask someone who is comfortable to meet the Sixty Minutes crew. 

Requirement Three: Tasks with a clear goal, a clear end point, a clear resolution. “Please identify three ways to improve sales” is a lot better than “Please identify something to improve sales.” (The person tasked knows what she has to do. Bing. Bing. Bing.)  

Requirement Four: Tasks without great risk. You’re the leader. You’re the one in front. That’s why they pay you the big bucks: You take the risk.   

Any task should meet all four requirements.

Next week, we’ll talk about whom to delegate.

The week after that, we’ll talk about how to delegate.

The whom and the how. Two more parts to the short series. That’ll be it.

Questions? Let us know. We love this stuff. We really do.