Do you find it difficult to delegate? The truth is, delegating is super important if you want to get work done, as a team! Many of us feel uncomfortable to delegate, but you have to do it. It works better if you take some precautions!

Since I came back from my maternity leave in January, my work load has been seriously building up. I cannot stay at the office all day and night. I also want to be with my boys, Alexander, work-out, write this blog and a lot more! Delegating is one of my most important tools to keep my head above water!

The only way to survive is to delegate as much as possible.

• Feel comfortable about delegating! I used to dislike delegating! I felt that I was bothering others. In addition, I was afraid that they did not have the same standards as myself. A super silly thought! But Hey! – As long as you delegate within the boundaries of roles, competence and responsibilities, this is how you work as a team, empower others and get things done!
• Delegate as early as possible. Many people tend to hold on to a task or an e-mail too long. The longer you cling on to the task, the more difficult it gets to delegate it. And I know, delegation means that you have you to make an upfront effort. You must find the right person, the right team, have initial talks and follow up.
• Make sure everybody has clear responsibilities. I work in projects with normally three to more than ten people. I try to make sure that everybody has a role description. This makes it easier to delegate.

• We are all responsible! Make everybody understand that they have a responsibility for the result!
• Make sure they understand you! I am busy and I tend to not explain the tasks properly. Many people do not dare to tell me that they do not understand. The risk is that I must completely change their deliverable. I have learned to explain very clear. I ask my colleagues to tell me how they understand my work.
• Be available! Make sure that you are available face2face, mobile or Skype etc.
• Set a deadline! When you delegate a task, normally you have not delegated the responsibility. Give the person a deadline, which give you enough time to do quality assurance and finalize the task.
• Give credit or take the blame! If you get good feedback on your work, make sure everybody knows who did most of it. And if you screw up, take the blame. You delegated the work, but not the responsibility. This is one of my leadership style principles! Did you read my blog post?

Good luck! I am lucky to be surrounded with many talented and great people! By giving them responsibility and tasks and communicate clearly, we all get a meaningful day at work and at home!

Do you delegate? Or does it make you feel uncomfortable?

Do you know someone who need to delegate more, please share my blog post!

Cecilia :*