An executive job is not easy as there is no such thing as an easy boss to whom you can delegate everything. Thus, let go of everything, get away from the desk and give your people a chance, but it is not that easy- unless you are one of the best executives in the world.
The Benefit of Letting Go
When you let go of control and delegate tasks, you free up your time to focus on more strategic and high level work responsibilities. According to a Harvard Business Review study, effective delegators spend 18% more of their time on strategic activities than ineffective delegators.
Another reason delegating tasks provide your team members an opportunity to learn and assume more responsibilities is because this will lead to higher job satisfaction and motivation. Gallup discovered that workers who believe they would like to have the opportunity for growth and development are 2.9 times more likely to be engaged in their job.
Overcoming the Fear of Letting Go
Perhaps one of the most critical factors that prevents executives from letting go is the fear of screwing things up. Still, it is at this point that one should remember that mistakes are part and parcel of the learning curve. According to a study done by the University of Chicago, employees who are given the chance to make mistakes and learn out of them tend to develop innovative solutions.
Control is the most paralyzing fear for executives. Don’t forget that delegation does not equal loss of control. You can always give guidance and feedback so that things get done right..
Strategies for Effective Delegation
When delegating, be clear in communication, and provide necessary resources and support. In fact, a study conducted by Harvard Business Review reported that employees who have been given clear instructions and support are about 2.5 times more likely to be a high performer.
Another stage in employee recognition includes giving regular and considerable feedback. As revealed by Gallup, employees who receive regular feedback at work have a 3.6 times chance of staying engaged in their work.
The implementation of letting go and delegation would be required for the executives’ personal growth, teams’ development, and company success. It is all about overcoming fear of letting go and creating strategies for effective delegation so that the executives will find free time for being busy on more strategic and high-level responsibility, by empowering their people to grow and develop.
