Hey, let’s be real—being a leader isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about knowing how to get shit done by working smart, not hard.
And one of the biggest keys to that is educating before you delegate. Because if you want to trust your team to get things done right, they need to know what “right” even looks like.
The Importance of Education Before Delegation:
It’s tempting to hand over a task and hope for the best, especially when you’re busy. But let me tell you, a little time spent on education can save you hours of frustration.
Educating your team means showing them how to do it, giving them the tools they need, and setting clear expectations. This way, when you delegate, you’re confident that they’ll deliver.
Step 1: Train Thoroughly, Not Quickly
Take the time to walk your team through the process step by step. Don’t rush it.
Show them why each part of the task matters, so they understand the big picture.
Use hands-on training and let them ask questions.
Remember, the time you invest upfront will pay off when they can handle things independently.
Step 2: Set Clear Expectations
Be specific about what you want and what success looks like. Vague instructions lead to vague results.
Outline deadlines, quality standards, and any special instructions.
It’s like building a house—if you don’t tell the builders exactly what you want, you’ll end up with something you never asked for.
Step 3: Check for Understanding
Don’t just assume they’ve got it. Ask them to repeat back the key points or even do a practice run.
Make sure they feel comfortable with the task before you let them fly solo.
Remember, misunderstandings happen, and it’s better to clear them up now than to redo the work later.
Step 4: Empower Your Team
Once you’ve educated them, give them the space to take ownership. Trust them to do the job.
Offer support, but don’t micromanage. Let them know they can come to you with questions, but they have the freedom to make decisions.
Empowered team members are more motivated and more likely to take pride in their work.
Step 5: Review and Provide Feedback
Follow up on the task and provide constructive feedback. What went well? What could be improved?
Use these moments as mini-training sessions to strengthen their skills.
Your feedback helps them grow, and next time, they’ll do even better.
How Do You Know What to Delegate? Follow These Rules:
Delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks—it’s about knowing what to hand off and to whom. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure it out:
No-Skill Tasks: These are tasks that you can easily delete or automate, and they don’t require any feedback from you. If it’s not adding value or can be done by a tool, let it go.
Low-Skill Tasks: These tasks need a bit of direction at the start, but once you’ve educated your team member, they can handle it independently. Think of things you can outline in a step-by-step checklist. Once they’ve got the hang of it, they can take it from there.
Moderate-Skill Tasks: This is where you need to invest time in educating and validating. Have your team member demonstrate that they understand the task before taking it on. Once they’ve proven they can handle it, they take full autonomy over the task, with regular check-ins on how it’s going.
High-Level Skills: These are the tasks that only you should handle. They require your expertise and, if not done correctly, can really mess things up. Focus your time and energy here, because the impact is too big to delegate.
As you can see, it’s not just about throwing tasks out there—it’s about being strategic and selective about who you assign them to, based on their skill level.
The goal isn’t just to get shit done; it’s to get it done correctly. No one wants to go back and fix a mess later on. So, remember EDUCATE before you DELEGATE.
Conclusion: Get Shit Done the Smart Way
When you educate before you delegate, you’re not just getting things off your plate—you’re building a strong, capable team.
It might take a little extra effort at first, but the payoff is worth it when you see your team handling things like pros.
So, take the time to teach, guide, and support. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you get shit done the right way.
Comments