A manager’s day is filled with many competing priorities and needs. There just isn’t enough time to do everything, let alone enough time to execute everything right.
And yet, Managers consistently fail to fully utilize the resources that are available to them. They know they should delegate as much as possible to their staff, but they don’t.
What is it that restricts these Managers and what would be the benefits if they delegated more?
the barriers
These are some of the most common reasons or beliefs that managers have regarding the barriers and limitations to delegating.
It is the force of habit.
Many Managers were promoted from the positions they now manage. They know the job and are on their comfort zone.
I can do better myself.
Once again, they were probably promoted from the positions they now manage and are technical experts.
No time to train.
Managers are convinced they can’t find the time to train, so they say they will always have to do the work, which in turn doesn’t allow them the time to train.
If I delegate too much, my job will be threatened.
By misunderstanding what a manager’s true responsibilities are, an unrealistic fear develops that if other employees can do all the work, their position will be threatened.
Employees are not capable.
How will they learn, if they are not trained?
There is a loss of control.
If the Manager delegates too much of the work, they may not feel in control of what is happening.
It will look like I’m passing the ball.
Again, by misunderstanding what the Manager’s duties are, there is a reluctance to delegate work.
Keep a high profile.
There is a misconception that being always overworked demonstrates one’s importance and value to the organization.
I like to do it
Again, if the Manager has been promoted within the department, they are more comfortable doing the old familiar job than some of the new unfamiliar Manager responsibilities.
I like to keep busy.
If I am busy doing things that are familiar to me, then I can avoid things that I am not sure or comfortable with.
Benefits of delegating
There are a number of benefits that increase when you delegate successfully.
* Because more people are doing the work, the work is more evenly distributed among the workforce
* Managers are less stressed.
* Managers gain the time they need to train their employees to achieve higher levels of performance.
* The organization develops a more versatile workforce.
* Every time an employee is trained to do another job, it gives the manager more flexibility in the distribution of employees.
* The morality of the employees is improved.
* Productivity and quality improve as employees are better able to do their jobs and care more about what they are doing.
Through a deliberate and planned approach to educating, training and coaching their employees, managers can develop a workforce that is more capable and skilled; that demonstrates greater commitment; that is more productive; which is more flexible; and that provides more commitment and satisfaction to employees.