Course Description
Delegation is an overlooked and undervalued tool that managers can use to complete an ever-increasing list of work responsibilities. This course provides managers with the skills to effectively delegate work to others.
There is often confusion about the true meaning and nature of delegation. In discussing the definition, participants begin to realize that delegation is about assigning meaningful tasks that can challenge employees and provide them with opportunities to build their skills. They recognize many benefits to delegation. However, there are many barriers as well. Certain patterns in thoughts and beliefs may hinder managers from delegating as often as they should. Participants examine these patterns and challenge themselves to overcome those that apply to them personally. They then take an individual assessment to determine their strengths and weaknesses in the delegation process.
After completing the assessment, participants are introduced to the three stages of delegation: Analyze, Delegate, and Follow Up. Throughout the application of these three stages, participants learn which tasks to delegate and which tasks to keep. They learn a process to objectively select the right person for the task. Through the use of specific questions, participants determine what needs to be communicated when delegating a task and how to gain understanding and commitment on the part of the delegatee. For Stage Three, Task Assessment, participants discuss the absolute need to follow up on tasks and to provide recognition or constructive feedback as required.
The final segment of the course consists of hands-on skills practice in which participants delegate a task to a partner and receive feedback on his or her effectiveness.
Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Define delegation.
- Break your personal barriers to delegation.
- Decide the tasks to delegate and the tasks to keep.
- Determine the right person to whom to delegate the task.
- Plan and conduct a four-step delegation meeting.
- Follow up on a delegated task.
Duration
This course has a 4-hour agenda.
Course Outline
Below is the course outline with timing for a 4-hour agenda.
| Section | Timing | (Total Timing) |
| Welcome and Introduction | 15 minutes | |
| Agenda | 5 minutes | (20 minutes) |
| Define Delegation | 5 minutes | (25 minutes) |
| Benefits of Delegation | 5 minutes | (30 minutes) |
| Barriers to Delegation | 10 minutes | (40 minutes) |
| Delegation Assessment | 15 minutes | (55 minutes) |
| Stages of Delegation | 5 minutes | (1 hour) |
| Stage One: Analyze | 15 minutes | (1 hour and 15 minutes) |
| Decide Which Tasks to Delegate | ||
| Select the Right Person | 10 minutes | (1 hour and 25 minutes) |
| Prepare to Delegate the Task | 10 minutes | (1 hour and 35 minutes) |
| Break | 10 minutes | (1 hour and 45 minutes) |
| Instruction and Follow Up | 30 minutes | (2 hours and 15 minutes) |
| Stage Two: Delegation | 25 minutes | (2 hours and 40 minutes) |
| Stage Three: Follow Up | 10 minutes | (2 hours and 50 minutes) |
| Optional: Virtual Delegation | 20 minutes | (3 hours and 10 minutes) |
| Delegation Application | 30 minutes | (3 hours and 40 minutes) |
| Empowerment | 10 minutes | (3 hours and 50 minutes) |
| Summary and Action Planning | 10 minutes | (4 hours) |
