Delegation and empowerment of employees boost motivation and increase employee engagement. Learn more about how these techniques can transform your organization’s work culture.
The saying “if you want something done right, do it yourself” is outdated in today’s dynamic landscape. Taking everything on your own shoulders was once seen as a sign of dedication and control – but not anymore. This mindset hinders growth and innovation and is unsustainable as well.
The modern business model requires an entirely different approach – delegation and empowerment. Delegation refers to assigning tasks and responsibilities to the employees while empowerment is the process of giving them authority and freedom to take decisions and also providing them the resources and necessary training to execute their tasks.
By delegating tasks, managers can increase their efficiency as well as the team’s efficiency. When employees are competent to handle tasks by themselves, managers gain the necessary time to concentrate on core activities.
However, delegation is not just about offloading the work, it’s also about empowerment. Managers should provide enough support to the team members so that they can execute the tasks confidently. A higher inflow of contributions will happen from the team members, resulting in a highly productive workforce.
Let’s explore how delegation and empowerment work together for improving productivity.
Delegation and empowerment – how are the two concepts interconnected?
Both delegation and empowerment support employee growth. When you delegate tasks, you are giving employees a sense of ownership and the opportunity to learn new skills and make meaningful contributions. They learn and advance in their careers. This creates a culture of continuous learning.
Thus, delegation and empowerment are interconnected and complementary. When used
together in the right way, it increases employee empowerment, creates a culture of trust,
ownership, and fosters learning, innovation, and growth.
The true value of delegation
The true focus of delegation is to empower the employees. When you assign them responsibilities and ownership, they will step outside their comfort zones and stretch themselves. Delegation improves problem-solving ability and creativity. This, in turn, makes the employees more resourceful. Further, when employees feel they are trusted, it increases their loyalty, and enhances job satisfaction. Yet another advantage of delegation is its power to increase leadership skills in the employees, since each person is given the autonomy and ownership of tasks. This will benefit their career advancement significantly.
Delegation increases productivity by allowing managers to free up their time and focus on strategic initiatives. The employee engagement and morale increase, which reduces the attrition. When employees are involved in decision-making, it brings agility and adaptability to the changing market conditions.
How to delegate effectively
Follow the pointers below for delegating effectively:
● Assess the skills and competencies of your team members carefully. Ensure that you assign them tasks that they are capable of handling. Also, the delegation should be aligned with their career goals so that they can grow.
● When you delegate tasks, ensure that the employees are clear about your expectations. Provide a clear brief of the task, timeline, and desired outcome. This will eliminate ambiguity and frustration.
● Employees should have adequate support and necessary resources to succeed in their tasks. Arrange for the required training, and offer support and guidance, but without micromanaging.
● Autonomy is essential for the success of delegation. Avoid the tendency to intervene or instruct the process. Ensure that you encourage the employees to take ownership of the tasks.
Empowerment – a foundation for effective delegation
Empowerment is the secret ingredient for the success of delegation. When employees are empowered, they will execute the tasks effectively and make meaningful contributions to the organization’s goals.
Delegation without empowerment is similar to handing a complex tool without the instruction leaflet. You might become unsure of how to handle it and eventually fail in using the tool correctly. Empowerment provides the necessary confidence, context, and support so that you can utilize the same tool effectively.
Some of the ways empowerment strengthens delegation and makes it a success are:
● Employees develop a sense of ownership. Instead of just doing or finishing off their tasks, they take the responsibility for the results.
● Employees feel valued at work, which, in turn, increases their motivation and engagement. They will start understanding the significance of their responsibilities and thereby align themselves with the bigger picture.
● Empowerment enhances the problem-solving ability of the employees. They respond quickly to change, and develop the confidence to handle unexpected crises.
● Empowerment increases the creativity of the employees and encourages them to experiment with new approaches. They will think out-of-the-box and contribute innovative solutions.
● Empowerment brings growth and learning opportunities to the employees. They grow as competent professionals through handling new tasks, attending training, and applying the knowledge in real-world situations.
Overcoming challenges in delegation and empowerment
Let’s understand the common hurdles in delegation and empowerment along with the
solutions.
● Resistance to change from employees could be common, as they might not like stepping outside their comfort zone. Communicate clearly and understand their concerns. Take immediate steps to address their concerns. Also, provide them with all support and training they might require.
● Micromanagement will stifle the creativity of the employees. So, start trusting the capabilities of your team members and assign them tasks to handle independently. Provide guidance only when it is required.
● Lack of accountability could happen in the early stages of delegation. Implement a system to track progress and hold the employees accountable for their tasks.
The way forward
When you build a culture of delegation and empowerment, you are helping your employees grow. But the benefits extend beyond that. It also increases the organization’s growth. Managers need to make it a high priority to create an open work culture where there is a shared commitment towards roles and responsibilities. They should go beyond merely setting expectations. The team members need active support in the form of training and other resources. Managers should work closely with their teams and make sure that they have the support needed, and that they are competent to handle their assigned tasks. Delegation and empowerment are an investment in both your employees and in the organization’s future.
Frequently asked questions
What is delegation and empowerment?
In simple terms, when you assign tasks and responsibilities to your employees, it’s delegation. When you allow them the freedom to make decisions, it’s empowerment.
How do you delegate and empower?
The first priority is to ensure that you assign tasks only to the employees who are capable of handling them. Clearly explain to them the details about the task, goals, and timelines, and also encourage them to take ownership. Also, ensure that you provide them with the necessary support for executing their tasks.
What are the three golden rules of delegation?
Delegating tasks to your employees must be done carefully so that their confidence is not affected. There are three golden rules recommended for delegating without mistakes: clear definition of the tasks, empowerment of the employees by giving them ownership, and avoiding micromanaging.
