Effective delegation is an

important tool that some managers hesitate to use. This

may result from inexperience with delegation particularly

for a novice manager, a reluctance to release work one

personally enjoys doing, or even an adherence to the old

adage, "If you want something done right, do it

yourself." Here are eight basic guidelines to help

you delegate more effectively:

- Determine what you

will delegate. You decide which task(s) you want to

delegate. Keep in mind that delegating is different from

simply assigning someone a task that is already a part of

the normal job requirements.

When you delegate, you give

someone else one of your job tasks; but you maintain

control and responsibility.

- Clarify the results

you want. Determine the results you consider necessary

for successful completion of the task. In general, the

employee to whom you delegate uses his or her own methods

to accomplish the task. If you expect use of a specific

method to accomplish results, relate that to the employee

at the beginning.

- Clearly define the

employee's responsibility. You, not the employee,

determine the level of responsibility. Be sure the

employee understands that level.

After you have given the

employee the information about the delegated task, ask

him to tell you his understanding of both the task and

goals. If the employee's answers do not match your

expectations, review the matter in detail again.

- Communicate the

employee's authority over the delegated task. Define the

scope and degree of authority given to the employee for

the delegated task. Explain which decisions he or she may

make independently and which require your approval. Be

specific. If you tell the employee, "Do whatever it

takes," you may end up with an unpleasant surprise

if the employee violates company standards.

However, a too-limited

authority may stop the employee from accomplishing the

task. Give the employee the authority necessary to

accomplish the task but not so much authority that he or

she can create a major disaster before anyone discovers

the problem.

Also, make clear the budget

available and budgetary limitations.

- Be sure the employee

understands his or her authority. Again, have the

employee repeat