(Delegate – 5 minute read)
Hi accounting fans!
As a small business owner, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed at times with all the tasks that need to be done. One solution to this problem is learning how to delegate work effectively. Delegating is an important skill for any small business owner to have! Here’s how to do it:
Identify tasks to delegate
First and foremost, it’s important to identify which tasks can be delegated and to whom. Look for tasks that are not crucial to your business or that can be easily learned by someone else. You may also want to consider the strengths and skills of your team members, and delegate tasks accordingly.
You may find that somethings require your expert knowledge. Or you could be dealing with a very sensitive client. These are things you may want to consider handling personally. However, don’t make the mistake of treating EVERYTHING as something only you can handle. If this is the case, then you need to work on training your team members to be able to handle them.
Delegate by communicating your expectation
Once you have a list of tasks and a plan for who will take them on, it’s time to communicate your expectations clearly. Make sure to provide clear instructions and deadlines, as well as any necessary resources or support. It’s also a good idea to check in regularly to ensure that the tasks are being completed to your satisfaction.
Trust and empower your team to do the job
Effective delegation also involves trust and empowerment. It’s important to give your team members the autonomy to complete tasks as they see fit, rather than micromanaging every step of the process. This will help foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, and can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Resist the urge to check on their progress every second of the day. What I’ve noticed is that if you trust people by not checking up on them, they’re more likely to be motivated to do the job they were assigned. I disagree with the notion that you need to keep tabs on your team. They should be mature enough to handle tasks assigned to them, otherwise, why did you hire them in the first place?
Delegate via oversight and support
Of course, delegation doesn’t mean you should completely offload all your tasks onto others. It’s still important to maintain oversight and provide guidance when needed. You may also need to adjust your delegation strategy as your business grows and changes.
There is a difference between delegating and being a slack boss. Your team will know if you aren’t pulling your weight in the business and it will affect their team morale. Make sure that they know you are always there if they ever need help.
Delegate your way to success!
Delegation is a key skill for any small business owner looking to grow and thrive. By following these tips and finding the right balance between oversight and empowerment, you can effectively delegate work and lighten your workload. And who knows, you may even have time for a little comic relief with the help of The Comic Accountant!