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SOME FINAL SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL DELEGATION

Here are some further suggestions for making your delegation successful.

Never Delegate at the Last Minute
Whenever you delegate, do so well in advance of when the task must be performed.  Whenever anyone takes on a new assignment, it is only natural for them to take longer to accomplish it the first few times they try. You should plan in advance to allow them that little extra time. If you wait until the last minute or delegate in a crisis, you aren't delegating, you are dumping. And when you dump on your employees, you almost guarantee their failure.

Use a Tryout Period
Instead of delegating a whole task at once, try delegating just part of the task, particularly if the job is complex or difficult. By allowing your employee to gradually take on responsibility for performing a job, you minimize your risk - there is less they can do wrong - and you allow them to learn to perform the task in stages rather than all at once.

Never Delegate the Same Task to More Than One Person
When you delegate, don't muddy the water by splitting accountability and responsibility for performing a task among several people. In particular, never delegate the same task to two or more people at the same time because you want to see who can perform it best.  Remember, when everyone is accountable, no one is accountable. Make sure that each of your employees knows exactly what he or she is responsible for doing and that he or she alone will be responsible for getting the job done.

Make Sure Your Other Employees Know When You Have Delegated Responsibility for a Task and Ask for Their Support
When you delegate someone responsibility for performing a job you used to perform, make sure you inform your other employees of your decision. In many cases, the employee who will now be performing the job will need the help and cooperation of others.  Make sure he or she gets it. Send out a memo or make an announcement letting other people know that "Mary will now be preparing the monthly financial report."  Request that they cooperate with her by providing her with the information and assistance she requires.

Be Lavish with Praise and Stingy with Criticism

Recognize that no one is likely to perform a task exactly right the first time. When you delegate, expect some mistakes. When they happen, resist your temptation to criticize. Instead, emphasize those parts of the job that were done right and help people correct their mistakes.  When they do get it right, be lavish with your praise and be sure to "give them the credit."  

If you follow these suggestions, you have a good chance of freeing some of your time, developing your employees, and getting a job done correctly and on time. Then when the customers are lined up at the door and the orders are flowing in, you won't have to do it all by yourself. You'll have trained employees ready to share the load.

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