We know a thing or two about delegating. In fact, pretty much our entire business model is founded squarely on the shoulders of effective delegation, so, not to brag or anything, but we can spot good – and bad – delegation from a mile away. And poor delegation can be a big sign of weakness in your leadership.
But with BELAY, you’re in a safe space. We’re not here to judge; we’re here to help – which, incidentally, is another cornerstone of our business model.
And being business owners ourselves – and having built BELAY as solopreneurs juggling all the balls and wearing all the hats – we understand that it’s hard to trust someone else to pour as much of themselves into every little detail.
Want to get 15 hours back this week?
But if your business is growing, you can’t keep unwittingly clipping its wings by trying to manage everything yourself. Maybe you unnecessarily hoard work. Maybe you feel like you’re the only one that truly cares. Whatever your rationale and however counterintuitive it may seem, you may actually be your business’ biggest obstacle to growth.
Can delegation be a weakness? If you are guilty of these 5 things, then yes it can be!
Worried you might be getting in your own way? Here are five signs you’re not delegating correctly – or at all.
1. Overflowing Inbox
It’s been said – and meme’d – that there are two kinds of people in this world: Inbox 0 and Inbox 13,678. There is no in between. And for those rocking a five-digit inbox, it may be time for some introspection as this is often a sign that you’re overloaded and not delegating enough. And since email can occupy 23 percent of our workday as we check it 36 times an hour, it’s an easy first step into the world of effective, productive, delegation.
PRO TIP: Check out this article on how to manage business email overload.
2. Working Overtime
While it’s often mission-critical to put in the hard work and long hours to get a business off the ground, it’s always important to be sure that you’re working smarter and not always harder. What does that mean? It means that while hard work is a must, there are likely tasks you could delegate so that you can use your time, energy and resources more effectively and efficiently elsewhere.
Want to see if having a non-traditional staffing model may work for you? Read this eBook to rethink your approach to staffing.
3. Poor Results
A common reason for poor output or results is poor delegation, whether due to giving the tasks to the wrong people or not communicating your expectations and needs effectively. If you find yourself reviewing their work, you may instead need to review how you delegate – the urgency of the task, your expectations, the process and the desired outcome. Often, poor results start at the top.
4. Missed Deadlines
Do you often miss deadlines? Let us remind you that you’re in a safe space - this has happened to us all, but if you answered ‘yes,’ then it’s time to scrutinize your delegation. Whether due to taking on too much work or not delegating the work in a timely manner, you’ve likely overestimated your abilities and underestimated how much time certain tasks may take. Save yourself the aggravation and start delegating tasks – early and often.
PRO TIP: Check out this article to learn about the 80/20 rule for improved time management.
5. Micromanaging
If you find yourself frequently asking how ‘things are coming along,’ then you may not have provided the necessary timelines, established critical progress checkpoints, and effectively communicated your expectations. So if you find yourself micromanaging or worse, reclaiming work that you’ve previously delegated, it’s time to reevaluate your delegation strategy.
Ready to improve your delegation? Or – if we’re being honest with a few of you – are you ready to start delegating? The first step is always the hardest but we’ve got your back. From that first step to getting you up-and-running, BELAY has everything you need to grow your business.