Recently, I found myself in a moment of reflection, surrounded by a to-do list that felt more like a wall of Post-its than a strategy. My friends laughed when I told them how full my calendar had become. “Weren’t you trying to cut back?” they teased. And they were right. I had said I wanted to lighten the load. But somehow, more responsibility found its way onto my plate.
The truth is, I’m excited about the work I’m doing. But excitement alone doesn’t create capacity. And that’s where delegation comes in.
We’ve all heard the phrase delegate to elevate. It sounds easy enough, but in reality, it’s much harder. Delegation isn’t just about handing off a task. It’s about passing the baton in a way that still leads to the finish line. That means thinking through what we’re giving, who we’re giving it to, and whether we’ve done the work to set that person up for success.
There’s a difference between delegating and dumping, or as I fondly refer to it, a “drive-by delegation.” Far too often, we fall into the latter without realizing it.
I’ve seen it happen with new leaders especially. They forget they have a team. Or they remember, but the idea of explaining a task feels more exhausting than doing it themselves. “It’s just easier if I handle it,” becomes a familiar mantra. But what’s easier in the short term is almost always costlier in the long run.
I talk to my team often about the four steps of effective delegation:
- I do, you watch
- I do, you help
- You do, I help
- You do, I watch
When we take the time up front to walk through these phases, we create clarity, confidence, and consistency. But most importantly, we create time: for ourselves and for others to grow.
Delegation Is a Leadership Skill, Not a Handoff
Delegation is a leadership skill, not a handoff. It’s not just about clearing your schedule; it’s about building trust, capacity, and autonomy on your team. The hardest part? It usually requires us to let go of control. That can be uncomfortable, especially when we’re used to doing everything a certain way. But holding onto every detail limits your growth and the growth of those around you.
I’ve had to learn this lesson personally, many times over. There are moments when I find myself debating whether I should just book my own flight or send that calendar invite. It would take thirty seconds. But every time I bypass my assistant, I miss an opportunity to build that muscle of trust and collaboration.
Building Partnerships That Empower, Not Overwhelm
One thing I’ve learned to do well is build a strong partnership with my assistant, Rency. We communicate often. I try to be clear about what I absolutely need to review myself and what can be handled without me until the final round. This same mindset extends to the rest of my team. I ask myself regularly: What tasks require me, and which ones can someone else move forward with before I even see them?
The goal isn’t to remove yourself from every detail. The goal is to decide where your energy is best spent. Because no matter how talented you are, your time is still finite.
Five Ways to Delegate More Effectively
Here are a few practical tips that have helped me delegate more effectively:
- Define the outcome, not just the task
Don’t just say what needs to be done. Explain why it matters, what success looks like, and how it fits into the bigger picture.
- Pick the right person
Delegation isn’t just about offloading. It’s about identifying who is ready or who could be ready with some guidance.
- Create a feedback loop
Ask questions. Check progress. Offer coaching without micromanaging. Delegation is a shared process, not a disappearing act.
- Document the process
Especially for repeatable tasks, invest time in creating templates, checklists, or workflows. The better your tools, the smoother the handoff.
- Let go of perfect
The first few times, it may not be done exactly how you would do it. That’s okay. Growth for others (and yourself) means embracing the learning curve.
Final Thoughts
The truth is: delegation takes more time at the beginning. But over time, it gives you back more than you could have imagined: more capacity, more impact, and more opportunity to focus on what only you can do.
Leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about knowing what to do, what to teach, and what to let go of. Delegation isn’t a burden. It’s a gift, if you’re willing to unwrap it the right way.
