Delegation is not about ‘dumping’ tasks on others or about choosing the good projects for yourself and delegating the mundane or difficult. Delegation is about systematically assessing your work, identifying areas that can be done by others, and delegating in a systematic and process oriented manner.
Delegation is more than a time management tool, it is also a motivational tool. Yes, it will save you time and increase your effectiveness. But what you delegate, someone else ends up doing. It becomes an advantage to the recipient of the ministry as well as to you. By delegating, you show your faith and trust in your staff and volunteers. You provide them with opportunities for growth and development. If you’re overburdened, you probably aren’t delegating properly. The fact of the matter is, successful leaders know how to delegate and do it freely.
Studies have shown that leaders fail because of poor delegation more than from any other cause. And sadly, most of these failures aren’t because leaders don’t understand the principles of delegation. It is because they are unable or unwilling to put them into practice. So, what is Delegation? Delegation is simply the assigning of specific duties to others. But that tells only part of the story. There is more to it.
Delegation also includes:
- Responsibility. This is the obligation to perform any activities necessary to achieve the specified result.
- Authority. This is the right and power to issue orders, act, and make decisions in relation to the duty.
Quotes:
- Bill Marriott, Sr. said, ‘Don’t do anything someone else can do for you.’
- Matthew 10:1 ‘Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority.’