how to delegate

How to Delegate Effectively

January 19, 2025

One of the most effective things you can do as a leader is to delegate. The best leaders know the power of delegation and use it daily. It can: 

  • Give you more time
  • Empower your team 
  • Improve morale 
  • Improve efficiency 
  • Help your team grow and develop 
  • Reduce your stress

All these amazing benefits and yet delegating is one of the hardest things for a leader to do.

My Struggle to Embrace Delegation

18 years ago, I co-founded a marketing agency with just one other person. Fast forward to today, and our team has grown to include dozens of members. I've become adept at delegating, which I now enjoy and see as a key driver of our company's growth.

However, it wasn't always this way; for many years, I found delegating incredibly challenging. Slowly, and sometimes painfully, I figured out how to become an effective delegator. As Richard Branson says, "The art of delegation is one of the key skills any entrepreneur must master."

Here are five realizations I've had that have significantly improved my delegation skills:

#1 - You're Not the Best at Everything

The number one reason leaders struggle to hand tasks and responsibilities off to their team members is because we feel it won't be done correctly unless we're involved.

The problem is, that belief isn't true.

This idea comes from a place of pride - and pride comes before the fall.

When I launched our company, I was a jack-of-all-trades, juggling roles from web design and project management to sales, copywriting, and video editing. Over time, I've gradually delegated these tasks. It was challenging at first, but each time, the individuals or teams I entrusted these responsibilities to have surpassed my own performance.

Trust your team. It's not easy. It may require a little faith and oversight, but give them your trust. 

#2 - Follow The 80% Rule of Delegation

I discovered this concept by leadership expert John Maxwell years ago and it greatly improve my life and our company's performance.

The 80% Rule is a delegation strategy that involves giving tasks to team members who can perform them at least 80% as well as the leader. This simplifies things so you don't have to spend a lot of time trying to decide what to delegate and what to keep for yourself. Simply put, if someone can do something 80% as well as you or better, delegate it.

As Maxwell says, "If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate."

#3 - Recognize That It Empowers and Strengthens Your Team

Delegating allows your team members to grow their skills, gain experience, and take on more responsibility. This builds confidence and prepares them for future leadership roles - which is extremely important!

Your team members must continually grow. If they don't their happiness and job satisfaction will decline. Delegating is a powerful way to retain employees.  

#4 - Accept That Doing it Yourself isn't Sustainable

Yes, you can do that task really well, but it takes a lot of your time and energy.

You may say, "well, it's going to take more of my time to show someone else how to do it."

Yes, that's true; but only in the short-term. In the long term it will save you time and you won't be a bottleneck. There's only one of you. You can delegate to multiple people. 

Taking the time and energy to teach and oversee others, then delegate is the key to incredible productivity. No business can reach its potential without this.

#5 - Realize That it Builds Trust and Loyalty

Delegating is a blessing to your team members. No one likes a micromanager.

Employee surveys consistently show that trust in their manager is a top factor in peoples' job satisfaction. Delegating and truly trusting your team members will grow their trust in you.

It's great for your relationship with them. This is essential because relationships are absolutely critical in business.

Delegating is Difficult but Worth It

I know giving up control and delegating is tough. I've been there! But it's absolutely worth it. You can't reach the next level without it. 

Invest the time, energy and trust to empower and delegate now and one year from now you'll be incredibly happy you did.