Be sure that you delegate to a person with the skills to complete the task

• Be sure that the team member you delegate the task to is capable of doing the task.
• Ensure the team member is willing to do the task.
• Ensure the team member understands what they’re committing to.

Provide details on desired expectations

• Provide clarity about your desired outcome(s). Make them measurable. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
• Communicate context behind the reason for the task and expected deadlines.
• Agree to the frequency and communication update method i.e. status updates to you e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, via phone, face to face, email etc.

Do test for understanding

• First think through the task and know clearly what  you want the outcome to be.
• Replace the phrase, “Now what did I just tell you?” with “How would you explain this task to a  fellow team member?”
• Ensure they understand it, accept it, and become committed to it so they walk away feeling, ”This is my job; I own it.”

This business tip is sponsored by BPD Associates Limited, a JobsTT partner.   If you want support in developing yourself and/or your team on this topic, please visit www.bpdassociates.com.