Delegating tasks and ownership are vital aspects of effective leadership, enabling business owners to scale their operations and empower their teams. And as a business coach for more than 25 years, I can say that this is one of the things that business owners struggle with the most. The majority of leaders understand the first level but after that they often fall short. This is why today I want to explore the three levels of delegation and ownership and discuss how each can benefit you as a leader or business owner.
At the first level of delegation, the focus is on assigning tasks to team members. Most business owners and leaders understand this level and don’t have much issue implementing this in their company culture. At the core, you distribute specific responsibilities to individuals, and they execute those tasks accordingly. This level primarily revolves around you as the central point of communication and decision-making.
For example, you might assign tasks to individuals like Jim, Carol, Carl, and Tina, instructing them on what needs to be done and then they go off to their respective corners and do the work that is assigned. This stage lays the groundwork for delegation but may not fully maximize the potential of your team. And it really takes a lot of time and effort on your part to make sure that everything thing gets.
Level Two: Delegating Ownership of Functional Areas
Moving up to the second level of delegation, the dynamics change significantly and if done correctly will enable you to free yourself from a lot of the follow-up. At this level, you’re not just handing out tasks, but you’re entrusting ownership of functional areas to your team members. This means assigning ongoing responsibilities and allowing them to take charge of those areas.
Imagine giving Carl ownership of a specific aspect of the business and telling him, “Carl, I want you to take charge of this area. It’s your ongoing responsibility.” Carl may then delegate some of his tasks to Carol, creating a bi-directional relationship between them. Similarly, you might delegate responsibilities to Tina, granting her functional ownership of certain business areas. She, in turn, may delegate tasks to Joanna and Reuel, fostering a network of ownership and delegation.
At this stage, communication becomes more diverse and inclusive, with team members interacting and collaborating with each other. You are no longer the sole hub of information, but rather a facilitator of effective teamwork. With a little bit of practice, you can go from spending 60 hours a week managing tasks and projects to now spending maybe twenty or thirty.
Level Three: Ownership of Responsibility
The highest level of delegation is all about instilling a strong sense of ownership and responsibility within your team members. Here, you empower them to take charge of entire areas of the business, with minimal direct involvement from you. This is where you start having a business that you own, not that owns you.
In this stage, you might grant Carl, Tina, and Jim significant responsibilities and ownership of different business aspects. The relationships become multi-directional, allowing them to collaborate and make decisions independently. For instance, Carl and Tina might work together on certain projects without requiring your intervention. They are empowered to make decisions that are beneficial to the company.
Furthermore, as the business evolves, you may add new members, like Yoon, who will take ownership of additional functional areas. This decentralization of responsibilities fosters a self-sustaining and proactive team dynamic.
As a business owner and leader, mastering the art of delegation and ownership is crucial for driving success. Understanding the three levels of delegation allows you to progress from merely assigning tasks to empowering your team with functional ownership and, ultimately, instilling a strong sense of responsibility. By reaching the highest level of delegation, you can build a cohesive and self-reliant team capable of driving your business to new heights. Good luck!