Reclaim 30% of Your Time at Work
Discover how to identify and overcome the barriers to effective delegation, boosting your productivity and reducing stress.
Hi there,
I recently read a fantastic newsletter on productivity discussing the topic: Daring to Delegate. Inspired by that, I want to share my take on the subject, hoping to support those leaders who "don't have enough time" in their day.
The Eye-opening Statistic
A Harvard Business Review study found that leaders who struggle to delegate spend 60% of their time on tasks better suited for others. This leads to disproportionate stress, loss of productivity, and eventual burnout.
In my work with leaders from various fields—from entrepreneurs to managers—I’ve learned that the core issue isn’t just a lack of trust in others but often a lack of trust in our own decision-making. We second-guess ourselves constantly, wondering if there might be a better option, which is a significant cause of procrastination.
Common Mindsets that Hinder Delegation
Reflecting on my days managing people and teams, I recall several mindsets that pushed me to overcommit and under-deliver. Here are some tendencies that may resonate with you:
Busy mindset: "It's quicker to do it myself."
Fear of conflict: "The team will push back."
Problem-solver mindset: "They need my help."
Perfectionism: "They won't meet my standards."
Hero complex: "My team is already overwhelmed."
Mistrust in team capability: "They don't know how."
Self-enhancement bias: "I'm the expert, they aren't."
Reputation concern: "They might think I'm not working hard enough."
Fear of failure: “What if I don’t succeed?”
Paralysis by analysis: “What if I make the wrong choice?”
Lack of motivation: “Why does this even matter?”
Overwhelm: “There’s too much to do; where do I start?”
Distraction-prone: “I’ll just check this quickly.”
Need for immediate gratification: “I’ll do it later; this is more fun now.”
Procrastination as a habit: “I work better under pressure; I’ll do it later.”
I struggle with many of these tendencies, particularly the feeling of overwhelm. For instance, I’m currently working on starting a pro-bono coaching program to then create a lower-tiered coaching program.
Although I help others overcome overwhelm, I still struggle with it in my personal life. That’s why having a coach is essential for accountability.
The Power of Delegation
Delegating is about sharing accountability, giving others the chance to step up and grow while you support them as their accountability partner. As a leader, I invite you to dare to share.
Throughout my professional life, I’ve been amazed at how much better others can perform certain tasks than I can. One of our businesses thrives because we’ve delegated decision-making to a partner capable of exponential growth without our daily intervention.
Practical Steps to Start Delegating
Identify Tasks to Delegate: Look at your to-do list and pinpoint tasks that others can handle.
Choose the Right People: Select team members who have the skills and potential to take on these tasks.
Set Clear Expectations: Define what success looks like for the delegated task.
Provide Necessary Resources: Ensure your team has the tools and support they need.
Follow Up: Check in regularly but avoid micromanaging.
Self-Honesty Fuels Change
No delegation advice proved effective for me until I confronted my own tendencies. Self-honesty fuels awareness and opens space for change.
Hit reply and share what tendencies you struggle with. I’ll send you a cheatsheet of coaching questions to help you confront and break through your challenges, fostering responsibility and collaboration to move forward.
Build Some Wins at Work
Focus on tasks that deliver true value to your goals.
Scrutinize your to-do list. Combine or erase tasks that don’t align with your primary goals. Aim to erase a third of your list, then add the remaining tasks to your calendar.
When you get home, stop working. Find pleasure in your interests, such as hobbies, personal development, or self-care. Remember, 92% of people regularly work at night.
Keep Going, Keep Growing
Your coach and friend,
Carlos
