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	Delegation Checklist
	By Kathy Paauw

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

• the best qualified who and will delivery the best results
• or the individual who will benefit most from being given the job
• delegate to develop skills that can be used later on

• show how the work fits into the overall operation
• point out the "win-win" -- what's in it for the delegatee
• give a clear picture of what you want to accomplish

• decide on conditions and terms of completion before delegating
• be clear about your requirements and boundaries
• don't wait until after delegating to impose controls

• make the delegatee responsible for completion of the project
• allow delegatee to make crucial decisions
• make it clear to others that delegatee is in charge

• there is a difference between rescuing and supporting
• let delegatees know they doesn't have to their fight battles alone
• be on delegatee's side when dealing with clients, colleagues, etc.

• point out the roadblocks your delegatee could encounter
• don't offer to do the work for the delegatee
• help your delegatee to come up with his or her own solutions

• don't micromanage, being too particular about how the job is done
• give delegatee the freedom to decide on the process
• except in industries with tight regulations over procedures

• delegate in an environment that is conducive to explaining
• minimize interruptions and give the delegatee your full attention
• encourage suggestions, questions, and comments

• establish solid deadlines, not open-ended completion dates
• be as specific as possible about when a product is due
• set sub-deadlines for completing milestones along the way

• be aware of the status of the project, but don't hover
• keep a delegation log to track the status of delegated items
• delegatee report in to you on previously agreed-upon dates

• don't focus on what's wrong
• focus on what can be done to improve it
• give positive and corrective commentary

• point the delegatee in the right direction
• create a list of resources that could be useful
• contact colleagues to let them know delegatee may need their help

• don't let the work be delegated back to you
• listen to problems without assuming responsibility for solving them
• keep the focus on the delegatee and his / her ideas and solutions

• don't take the credit for your delegatee's work
• accept responsibility if delegatee hasn't skills to complete the task
• don't treat your delegatee as a scapegoat if unsuccessful

 

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