Leadership Turn

The Most Successful Leaders Are Very Good At Delegating

by Jonathan Farrington on June 17th, 2007

What Is Delegation?

Delegation is the transference to others of the authority and responsibility for carrying out certain tasks.

Successful delegation implies that those to whom the tasks are delegated;

• Know what it is what they have to do
• Want to achieve it
• Have the means to achieve it
• Have the ability to achieve it

What Is Authority?

In any organisation there is a degree of formal authority which goes with the job. A subordinate expects their boss to have a wider knowledge, wield a greater influence, and carry more weight than they do themselves. At the same time, there is an added dimension to authority which is invested in the person themselves which we call leadership.

The effectiveness of authority in a business situation depends, therefore, on the extent to which it is accepted by the people over whom it is being exercised.

What Is Responsibility?

Literally it means answerable or accountable (to another for something). A subordinate to whom a task is delegated is, therefore, accountable to their boss for the successful performance of that task. The overall objectives of the organisation cannot be delegated. They must be split up and new responsibilities or obligations created at every level in the organisation.

Why Delegate At All?

In a very small organisation the person who created the firm will have staff to help them carry out some of the tasks. Frequently they tend to keep decisions to themselves. As the company grows, this method of delegation is likely to be less and less effective. Every decision - even in the smallest matters - has to go right up the line.

A decision is more effective the closer it is made to the point where it is to be carried out.

Best Leadership Blog 2007: You know that I am going to be badgering, pestering and persuading you to vote for Leadership Turn, right up to the final day on July 6th. I don’t have any expectation because there are some seriously “big hitters” amongst the finalists and I am a relative novice. However, I owe it to everyone at b5 to give it my best shot and you can help me - please! Here is the place to go to vote

Tomorrow: “What A Leader Should Delegate - And What They Most Definitely Should Not Delegate”

Jonathan Farrington

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POSTED IN: Leadership Skills