This week in our ongoing investigation of delegation processes, I want to address a comment made to me at a recent event at which I spoke about leadership and delegation. A lady from the company I was speaking to said to me during the Q & A session: ‘I’ve just about stopped delegating. When I delegate a task and the person fails to perform, I get whiplash from my boss. I’m tired of that!’

When I asked this lady how she monitored progress on what she delegated, she looked at me as if I was from another planet! Further discussion showed that she was using no clear tools at all! However, depending on the ability and maturity of the person to whom you delegate, a clear progress monitoring tool can be invaluable in ensuring that things go well.

Dr. Brad McCrae, whose article on delegation was posted last month in this series, suggests using a simple monitoring chart such as that shown below. This supplies both you and your delegee with a clear framework of what is expected when. Using a chart like this is not a ‘command and control’ procedure, nor is it a sign of lack of trust. You are not telling the delegee how to implement each step your way! What the plan does, though, is to ensure that the people to whom you delegate learn the importance of reporting if things are not going well, or if certain steps are likely to overrun deadlines. The tool helps them to monitor their own progress, and to take responsibility for each step along the way. This is important to all involved in the project.

I really recommend that you create a progress chart for the processes that you delegate, PARTICULARLY if the person to whom you are delegating is somewhat inexperienced. A more experienced person may prefer to make their own chart or to use their own tools, but progress reporting should ALWAYS take place. Have a good look at the chart shown below, and see what happens when you use this tool or a similar device to ensure that delegation becomes a fruitful exercise for all involved.

Next time we will hear from the CEO of a Swiss-based, international company who is known for his success in rescuing companies in trouble. From him we will learn a core secret of successful delegation, so join us then.