What everybody should know … about Delegation!

Late last year, I had a business colleague that I work with on a volunteer basis come to me in frustration that she felt left in the dark. That she wasn’t “in the know” and she felt kind of out there on an island.  She was frustrated b/c she wanted more responsibility and was feeling out of the loop.

I was managing a team of 3 and after several months of working together, we had yet to have one group conference call and every project that came my way I eagerly took it on myself.

Her phone call to me was my AH-HA! moment.  The madness had to stop. She was 100% right.

What was I doing?  Who’s “hero” was I trying to be.  If anything I was hurting myself and those on my team. No one was learning anything and I was just getting burnt out.

That phone call was a gift in my eyes and since that day my management style has totally changed.  I have begun to make delegation a priority and it’s brought me so much peace, more time (who doesn’t want that?!) and much happiness.

I have since renamed “delegation” my “3-Wheeled Bike” analogy.

Here’s why:

I was reading the book “Chasing Daylight” by Eugene O’Kelley, which is a must read by the way!  In the book he chronicles the last 100 days of his life after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor.  He was the CEO of KPMG and had been know to be a major control freak.  At one point in the book, he tells us how he goes to his lake house and decides that in order to get around the property (and b/c he could no longer ride a 2 wheeled bike) he asks for a 3 wheeled bike.

He then says that was the first time in his life, he realized he needed some help.  He could no longer do it all on his own.  He needed that third wheel.  It took him looking directly at death to realize the powerful gift of letting go and calling in for some help. This, of course, was something that he typically did not do in his work and home life prior to the death sentence.

This is a major life lesson! I And we are the lucky ones who get to learn it before we die.

I believe there are 3 key ways you can start riding your own “3-wheeled Bike” TODAY:

1. Trust – This is critical. Trust in the people around you that they are willing, capable and eager to help.  Of course if that trust is broken, you can take the appropriate steps, but you’ll never know if you don’t try and 9 times out of 10 you will be so pleasantly surprised.  Also, trust in YOURSELF that you can make the right decisions to delegate when the time comes.
2. Prioritize your list – we all have a list.  You, like me, probably have 2 or 3 or 4 lists … 1 for work, 1 for home, 1 for a particular event, 1 for a trip, etc.  (Evernote is my new obsession btw to keep it all together!) Take one list at a time and prioritize. What can absolutely only YOU do and what are you willing to ask for help with?  You’ll be amazed at how good it feels to a) empower someone to help you and b) how much time you’ll open up for yourself when you do!
3. Let go – Yes, you are superwoman.  Yes, you are superman.  And you rock for taking on the world like you do!  However, you are not a cartoon and physically can’t do it all. You are human.  I always remind myself, if I were to get hit by a bus tomorrow, life still goes on. Someone will finish the job.  So take a breath, prioritize and delegate! Give yourself a break and let go.

What are some ways you delegate in your home or work life?

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