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NEW! - Keywords For This Page: Delegation - Boundaries
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.
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CHOOSE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB
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- 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
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ENOUGH INFORMATION
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- 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
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ESTABLISH PARAMETERS
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- 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
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FULL AUTHORITY FOR DECISIONS
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- 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
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GIVE BACKUP SUPPORT
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- 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.
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GUIDANCE WITHOUT INTERFERING
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- 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
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KEEPING FOCUSED ON RESULTS
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- 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
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LEARN TO DELEGATE THROUGH DIALOGUE
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- delegate in an environment that is conducive to explaining
- minimize interruptions and give the delegatee your full attention
- encourage suggestions, questions, and comments
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MAKE THEM ACOUNTABLE
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- 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
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MILESTONES AND CHECK-IN DATES
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- 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
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OFFER FEEDBACK
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- don't focus on what's wrong
- focus on what can be done to improve it
- give positive and corrective commentary
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PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESOURCES
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- 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
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STAY AWAY FROM REVERSE DELEGATION
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- 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
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WHEN CREDIT IS DUE
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- 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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