Front-Line Leadership

CHAPTER 8The Art of Delegation

When I engage with leaders in the organizations I work with, a common theme appears. Many of them express a genuine desire to invest more time in connecting with their teams, yet they find themselves tied to their desks due to an overwhelming workload. When I inquire about the possibility of delegation, two consistent responses emerge: I don't trust anyone else, or I don't have the time teach someone else.

Delegation is the process of entrusting tasks, responsibilities, or decision‐making authority to individuals within a team or organization. Leaders who effectively delegate help distribute the workload, empower team members, and ensure that tasks are completed efficiently. Effective delegation involves assigning the right tasks to the right people based on their skills and capabilities, providing clear instructions and expectations, and maintaining accountability to ensure successful outcomes.

I have found that delegation is an art—it's much more nuanced than just divvying up the work and assigning people tasks. It requires a leader to be intuitive, adaptable, and have a deep understanding of the strengths and challenges of their team. Like any form of art, it involves creativity, finesse, and a commitment to continual improvement. From my experiences, it is a crucial skill that separates someone from just being a high performer to a person capable of leading high‐performing teams.

Delegating to Grow

On my last deployment to Afghanistan, I ...