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Develop Your Managers and Keep Your Staff
Following on from the last edition of The Organised Times where we spoke about developing the people in your business, this week we're focussing on the importance of the continual development of your managers.
Leadership comes from the top...
How to Grow Your Business in the Marketplace of the New Millennium ©
The "old ways" of doing business have been on the way out for years. Yet, training programs and consultants continue to do things the way they've always been done. Maybe they're stuck in the past. Maybe they're blind to the facts. Or maybe they...
New Style Network Marketing - Why Professionals are Rushing to Join!
There is absolutely no doubt. Network marketing or MLM is now attracting a new type of person. The wave of new style network marketing is having an unprecedented appeal to professional business people.
In the past, MLM has been dismissed by...
Taking Time Off For Your Business
As a business owner, wouldn't it be great if you could take time off whenever you needed to? Unfortunately, most small business owners worry that the business will fall apart if they're not there to mind the store. Too often, they simply lack...
Top 7 Small Business Sites for 2005
If you want to start a business in 2005, and start making money almost immediately, the sites listed below are some of the best I have found. I've chosen each site because it is absolutely outstanding in providing the tools you need to get started,...
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Are You on Overload? Delegation is One Key
You probably know that delegating work to others is a great and appropriate way to save time, prioritize your own agenda and to focus on what you "should" be doing.
However, knowing when and how to delegate well is the key to being successful at it. First, what does it mean to delegate?
Del-e-gate: to assign responsibility or authority (from http://www.m-w.com)
Next, are you successful at delegating tasks in your life and work? If not, what gets in the way of successful delegation? Here are a few common factors:
*You have not taken the time to analyze all you are doing and therefore do not have the awareness of what you could delegate.
*You are a control freak and feel the need to do it all yourself.
*You do not have the confidence that anyone else could do it well enough.
*You enjoy doing it and don’t want to give it up.
*You may feel that you will not be able to justify the time you have opened up for yourself.
If you are having trouble getting past some of these, engage someone to help you.
Following are 8 keys to successful delegation.
1-Take the time to look at everything you are doing. Make a list not only of the big projects, but break down the small details, for example, phone calls that need to be made, research to be done, whatever it is. Indicate with check marks or other kinds of notes a) which of those could be done by someone else, b) what you’d like to get rid of if you could even if the how is not obvious, c) the things you really must or want to keep for yourself.
2-Identify the likeliest person to do those tasks you want to delegate. Ascertain that they are capable and are not themselves on overload.
3-Even if you are their boss, engage them politely by asking if they are ok with it. Do they have the time and resources to do it? If they are too burdened at the moment, when will they be in a position to take it on? When you show respect for people they will be inclined to help out. Of course, as boss you have the right to insist, but you’d be wise to do it with respect and appreciation.
4-Make sure the person you choose is capable to do the task successfully. If not, you are setting someone up to fail and yourself to be even more stressed.
5-Communication is key. Many people fall short here. You need to have a clear picture of the outcome you want and communicate it clearly to the
person who will do it. Often we take for granted that the other person knows, when in fact, because they are creative in their own way, they may produce a very different outcome than the one you envision.
6-Think through the degree of difficulty and if it is not simple, make a plan as step #1. Explain to the person who will be doing the task why it needs to be done a certain way by a certain time. Build in check-in points and a timeline to meet deadlines.
7-Overall, keep these points in mind: a) Assess each task regarding the appropriateness to delegate, b) who would be the best person to ask to do it, c) make sure you are very clear in communicating how and what you want, d) what measures will you use regarding deadlines and quality of work? e) remember to express respect and appreciation for the person helping you.
8-Now that you’ve relinquished the task, use the time wisely, prioritize everything you are doing and don’t forget to schedule time for non- work on your priority list.
The benefits of proper delegation go beyond getting rid of some of your burdens and opening up your time. The exercise of thinking through and choosing what and to whom, forces you to focus on important details such as: what are your true strengths, interests, passions and skills. What are those of the others who surround you?
Delegating well requires you to better your communication skills of articulating clearly, listening and showing appreciation.
Before you rush into filling the free time with other tasks, take some time to look inside and ask yourself the important questions.
What is the balance between things you enjoy and things you do not in your daily schedule?
What additional changes can you make now or in the future to increase the positives for you and decrease the negatives?
You may not be able to make gigantic changes quickly, but baby steps will also get you where you want to go.
I welcome your comments and experiences.
About the Author
Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners. You can get a free sample of her ebook, Stop Doing What You Hate…Start Doing What You Love at http://www.StartDoingWhatYouLove.com. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com
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