Delegation: Breaking through the fear

Did you know that, according to Inside Small Business[1] 26% of small business owners work more than 50 hours per week, and a staggering 24% work relentlessly seven days a week, barely finding time to breathe?

There's no denying it: Australia's entrepreneurs are pushing their limits, working harder and longer than ever before. But in this era of hustle and grind, have you ever stopped to ask yourself if there's a better way? We are diving into a discussion on delegation, the secret weapon of successful small-business owners. Stay tuned as we unveil the magic behind working smarter, not harder, to achieve your business goals.

Welcome to Momentum Business Insights, where we share our 21+ years of experience as business coaches helping small business owners thrive. 

Crushing Misconceptions About Delegation 

We've all heard them - the reasons, or shall we say excuses, that keep us from letting go and entrusting others with tasks. "No one else can do it as well as I can", "It takes too long to explain", "My team is already overworked"... Sound familiar?

Steve Jobs once said, "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do." 

This isn't just about admitting you can't do it all. It's about understanding the transformative power of delegation and how it can catapult your business to new heights. The question is, are you ready to relinquish some control to gain so much more?

Breaking Free From The Self-Imposed Shackles 

Data suggests that companies that encourage and practice delegation grow at a faster rate. A survey from Gallup[2] found that companies helmed by CEOs who effectively delegate authority grow faster, generate more revenue, and create more jobs.

These aren't just numbers; they are a testament to the transformative power of effective delegation. As Richard Branson famously said, "If you really want to grow as an entrepreneur, you've got to learn to delegate."

Delegation isn't merely a tactic to free up your schedule. It's an essential strategy for growth and sustainability. It's about understanding that while you may have built your business from the ground up, it's the collective effort of a team that scales it to new heights. 

Do you still feel like holding onto every task in your business? Or are you ready to loosen the grip and step into a world of business growth and personal freedom?

Busting Delegation Myths 

As business coaches, we often hear our clients quote plenty of myths that make delegation seem more daunting than it needs to be. Let's debunk a few of them:

• “No one else can do the job as well as me” – Is this truly the case, or is it simply a fear of letting go? Delegation is not about finding people who work exactly like you but about finding individuals who can bring unique skills and perspectives to the task.
• “It'll take me too long to explain it...I may as well do it myself” – There will always be an initial time investment in training, but consider it an investment in your long-term productivity. After all, the hours you spend teaching someone else to do a task is time you save in the future.
• “The other people in my business are too busy for me to delegate to” – This might be an indication that it's time to consider hiring more staff or re-evaluating current workloads and efficiencies.
• “I’ve got no-one to delegate to” – Even solopreneurs can delegate. Consider outsourcing tasks to freelancers or utilizing automation tools for repetitive tasks.

Bill Gates said, "As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others." With this empowering mindset, let's move from the myths and fears of delegation to mastering the art itself.

The Art of Effective Delegation: A 5-Step Guide 

Delegation is an art that, when mastered, can bring unprecedented growth to your business. Here's a step-by-step guide to set you on the right path.

1. Identify What to Delegate:

Not everything should be delegated. Begin by identifying tasks that don't necessarily require your expertise - administrative duties, repetitive tasks, or even aspects of projects where others have more expertise.

2. Select the Right Person:

Consider the skills, experiences, and workload of your team. Choose someone who has the capacity and the right skills to take on the task.

3. Clearly Communicate Expectations:

Ensure that the person you're delegating to knows what's expected of them. Define objectives clearly, set deadlines, and make sure they understand the task at hand. 

Tip: A powerful tool to help you here is to ask the person you are delegating to repeat back in their words the ‘expectations’ as they understand them. This might feel a little awkward at first but is a quick sure fire method to know you are on the same page!

4. Provide the Necessary Tools and Authority:

Equip your team members with the tools, authority, and resources they need to carry out the task successfully.

5. Trust, but Verify:

After delegation, trust your team to get the job done. But also establish a system for follow-ups and updates. This isn't about micromanagement, but about ensuring accountability and offering help if obstacles arise.

"No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit," said Andrew Carnegie, a leading figure in the 19th-century American steel industry and renowned philanthropist. Embrace this timeless wisdom: start delegating today and focus your efforts where they truly matter.

The Rewards of Delegation 

By now, you're probably wondering, "What's in it for me?" Well, hold on to your office chair because the rewards of effective delegation may just blow you away.

1. Business Growth:

Delegation is like that secret sauce you add to your grandma's recipe that takes it from tasty to "Oh my gosh, this is amazing!" It provides room for your business to scale and flourish, freeing up your time to strategize and focus on high-impact tasks.

2. Increased Profits:

More hands-on deck means more work done, leading to increased productivity and, ultimately, profits. It's simple math really, and who knew math could be so exciting, right? 

3. Personal Time and Reduced Stress:

We know, running a small business can sometimes feel like you're a hamster running endlessly on a wheel. But, through effective delegation, you can finally hop off that wheel, reclaiming personal time and reducing stress. Hello, life outside of work!

4. Empowered Team:

When you delegate, you're telling your team, "I trust you." This can boost their morale, motivation, and commitment. Just think of yourself as the Oprah of delegation - "You get a task, and you get a task, everybody gets a task!" 

As Larry Page, co-founder of Google, once said, "If you’re not doing some things that are crazy, then you’re doing the wrong things." Let's face it, to some, delegating might seem crazy, but we now know it's the right kind of crazy.

In Conclusion

Delegation isn't about offloading work; it's about unleashing potential – the potential of your team, your business, and most importantly, you as a business owner. It might feel a bit like being on a rollercoaster at first, with ups and downs, but remember, rollercoasters are meant to be fun!

Next Steps

Ready for the ride? Book a Clarity Call today, let's chat about how you can start effectively delegating and start enjoying that rollercoaster! 

Or jump over to our online courses…there is a great course just for you: How to become great at delegating!

Remember, Momentum Business Improvement is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s embark on this journey together, improving businesses and changing lives.

Momentum: Improve your business…change your life!

[1] Source: Inside Small Business, Small-business owners “working longer hours than doctors”

[2] Source: Gallup, Delegating: A Huge Management Challenge for Entrepreneurs