To Delegate or not to Delegate, That is the Question

“You need to delegate“–we often hear this advice. But more often than not, this is something that should raise a red flag. When I was last told this, it was just an attempt to stab me in the back and undermine my authority.

This is not to say that delegation is always a bad thing. In fact, it can be very helpful in certain situations. But you need to be aware of the potential motives behind someone telling you to delegate and make sure that it is truly in your best interest to do so.

If you’re not sure whether delegation is the right move, ask yourself these questions:

1. What are the consequences of *not* delegating?
Do you actually need to delegate in order to meet the deadlines?
Could you end up overworked and stressed out if you don’t delegate? Could the project suffer as a result? Maybe delegation isn’t such a bad idea after all.

2. Do I trust the person who asks me to delegate?
There’s nothing wrong in today’s cut-throat company culture with being a little bit paranoid. If you don’t trust the person who’s asking you to delegate, then you should do your research and try to find out the motives behind their request.

3. What does “delegating” involve?
Does it mean you’ll have to completely give up control over the project? Or will you still be able to provide input and guidance? Make sure you know exactly what’s expected of you before you make any decisions.

4. What are the risks involved in delegating?
Could someone take advantage of your trust and screw up the project? Could this cause you to lose face with your boss or colleagues? Weigh the risks and benefits carefully before making any decisions.

5. Are there any benefits to delegating?
Will you be able to free up some time for yourself if you delegate? Will the person you delegate to get the credit for the project’s success? (That could be especially painful if you’ve already done most of the work.) Make sure you know what’s in it for you before you make any decisions.

These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself before delegating. If you’re still not sure whether delegation is the right move, talk to your boss or a trusted colleague for their opinion.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide.

But take my word for it–delegation can be a dangerous game.
After all, you started this project for a reason. Make sure you finish it the way **you** want to.

Have a good day!