You're flat out like a lizard drinking water. We get it - who isn't in today's manic world?
Put your hand up if you commonly utter the following phrases:
Sorry, I'm flat out, can't talk!
I'm so, so busy! I'll be working late again tonight.
I don't have time to explain - I'll just do it myself!
I wish there were two of me...
I can't delegate anything more, no one knows how to do it except me.
If I let someone else do this, how do I know they'll do it right?
It sounds like you need to delegate. A lot more.
Easier said than done, right?
Afterall, you’ve been burnt too many times. Last week you asked for your usual coffee order, and got a soy latte. Last month your ex-EA booked that Jetstar flight from Perth to Sydney - instead of your usual first class seat. And…the story continues!
One of the biggest challenges we encounter when delegating tasks, is the confusion and misunderstandings that come with both the delegator and the delegatee not being 100% clear on the extent of the responsibility of their task.
Enter the 5 Levels of Delegation:
Let me explain:
Let’s take the common example of making travel arrangements for an upcoming business trip. If you were going to delegate this according to the 5 Levels of Delegation, how would it look?
Level 1: This is the most basic level of delegation. You will tell Annie precisely what dates and times you need your travel. You will tell her which airline, the preferred flight number, which hotel and hire car, and the exact amounts. You have researched all of this, and you know exactly what you want her to do - you expect her to follow these instructions carefully.
Level 2: Your trust has increased slightly. You want Annie to research the best flight, hire car and accomodation options, and report back to you. You will then discuss them with her, and you will decide what you want her to do - you then expect her to follow your instructions.
Level 3: This is perhaps the most common level of delegation. You would like Annie to research all travel options and make a recommendation to you - after all, she has done the research. You want the pros and cons, and want to know what she thinks you should do. If you approve, you will then authorise her to go ahead and book.
Level 4: You're busy, and you know that she can handle it. You would like her to research the options and make the decision as to the best flights, cars & hotels - you trust her to know best. But you would like her to report back and keep you in the loop so that you are aware of what she is doing.
Level 5: You have 100% delegation trust. You want Annie to make all your bookings and you don't require her to report back. You trust her completely and know that she will execute as you expect.
Learn these levels, and teach your team. If you're all on the same page, and each of you knows the lingo your chances of getting the right coffee, and the right seat on the right flight are greatly increased!
Ready to improve your delegation game? Ask us for our handy tool that will help you learn to take more off your plate! Contact us for a free download.
(We initially learnt about this handy concept here. We find the 5 Levels of Delegation extremely useful for delegating internally, and assisting clients to delegate to their Virtual Assistant.)
