Be a Super Delegator

There are plenty of reasons not to delegate. Maybe you can complete a project more quickly than those working beneath you,  or you're convinced you'll achieve better results than your subordinates.

But do you take work home on a regular basis? Or are deadlines an issue?  Jane Schulte, author of Work Smart, Not Hard!, says these are sure signs it's time to delegate, whether you like it or not.

Here are some of her pointers for successful delegation:

• Start small, then increase delegation as skills develop.
• Define clear goals, deadlines and criteria for success.
• Provide all the needed resources and information.
• Give your subordinate full authority over the project.
• Offer guidance and advice without interfering.
• Focus on results, not the process.

If the project is successful, credit the person who got the job done; if there are problems, Schulte advises shielding the responsible subordinate from blame. "Learn from the experience so you can delegate more effectively, provide more training or delegate the next project to a different person," she says.

The Po!nt: "Work should always be done by the lowest competent level," says Schulte. Go down the  chain of command,  find the right person for the job,  give them the tools they need to succeed and refocus on the high-level issues that demand your expertise.

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