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When delegating authority, do you focus more on the results to be achieved or how to do the job?

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Question added by Nadjib RABAHI , Freelancer , My own account
Date Posted: 2018/04/16
Celeste Ann Mascarenhas
by Celeste Ann Mascarenhas , Health Care Assistant, Level 3 Nursing , Carlton Court Care Home

Thanks for the invitation.

Leaders focus on both when delegating authority viz focus on the results and the task involved and how to manage it.

In order to do this they have to plan, lead, organise and control so that the strategy is working well.  Effective delegation is the mechanism by which leaders are able to empower their employees.

Principles of Effective Delegation

Delegation is about giving employees the accountability to make the right decisions, to change the process and to be the owner of the task or project.

Effective delegation means:

  • Identifying what tasks, activities or projects to delegate
  • Communicating thoroughly the expectations and parameters
  • Ensuring that all resources are available
  • Building trust by being a facilitative manager
  • Clearing obstacles for employees to ensure success

Delegation is most successful when there is a win-win outcome – employees build new skills or achieve new results by taking on greater accountability.

Objections to Delegating & Generational Concerns

Since delegation creates employee empowerment, why don’t more leaders do it?  Many objections are based on the professional fears that delegating could have a negative impact on operational results or leaders’ careers. For example, some leaders fear: that they won’t be seen as competent since others are doing the work; that they will be replaced; and, that if something goes wrong, it will impact their reputation. These fears are generally unfounded and can be managed through effective delegation. The benefits of effectively delegating far outweigh the risks.

Empowering Employees

When leaders empower their employees those employees are able to take on greater responsibility and authority. In order to do so, employees must be given the resources to make this happen. Unfortunately, some employees often feel as though they do not have the support or resources to become empowered. Employees may be unclear as to what empowerment actually means in tangible terms.

The act of empowering includes:

  • Increasing employee accountabilities
  • Supporting employees to make decisions
  • Allowing employees to be self-directed

Given the highly competitive work environment for Baby Boomers, a mistake in delegation could mean losing a promotion or not getting assigned to the next project. Also, delegation may not feel comfortable, because losing control of the details may be perceived as a decrease in their “work value.”

Effective delegators if they leverage the trust they have built with their teams by openly sharing how increased responsibilities benefits employees, the team and the organization. 

Employees will do their best when there is trust between the leader and staff.  The work culture is greater influenced and commitment grows amongst them.  Results are spot on and rewards are on the cards as well.

Ashraf E. Mahmoud (PhD)
by Ashraf E. Mahmoud (PhD) , University Lecturer, Freelancer Consultant and Trainer for Int'l Business & Banking TF. , FreeLancer

Thanks for invitation,

Totally agree with Celesta Ann's in her reply.

رشيد ولدعروسي
by رشيد ولدعروسي , قائد وحدة عسكرية , الجيش الشعبي الوطني

 Thank you for the invitation ;

The authority in its linguistic sense is the domination, control, control and imposition of its will on other wills so that the other bodies recognize the leadership and separation and its ability to give it legitimacy and respect for its considerations and commitment to its decisions.

To select the appropriate employee, this is based on the plan that you have developed for how to do the job.

 

Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani
by Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani , Snr. HR & Finance Officer , Sarri Zawetta Company

Thanks

Both, while I am caring to achieve results, I have concern to see my employees doing their tasks in a perfect manner

boualem larbi
by boualem larbi , مراقب , الديوان الوطني للاحصائيات

Hello, as required by the commissioner, sometimes the performance is what is important and we find it when the teacher is the trained component.

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