Transform Your Productivity On Purpose … Through Delegation
To delegate is, at its core, to get the activity off your plate. The balance of freeing oneself while ensuring that the tasks are efficiently accomplished has long been a topic of intrigue, not just in modern business literature but throughout the annals of history.
It’s a term that can lead to many business owners feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Relief because they can let go of tasks, and anxiety because they're uncertain about the results. Let's dive deeper into the concept and art of delegation.
One of our teachers, Dr. John Demartini states: there are only two ways to achieve fulfillment: Either Love what you do OR Do what you love.
In this article, we shall focus on getting to do what you love. And one of the key ways of accomplishing that is by being able to hand off some of those now unloved tasks on to some other.
Traditionally and etymologically, Delegate means to pass ‘down’ a task typically to someone less senior than yourself. We propose here that there is something lost in this process that is worthy of being reminded of. That is that it is quite possible, and we would argue even quite preferable, that the delegation is organized strategically by the delegator such that the delegate is superior to perform this task than the delegator.
The delegate might be superior for many reasons that include: They are a specialist at that task, they are inspired and intrinsically motivated from within to perform that task, the cost to have the delegate perform that task is less than if the same task were performed by the delegator. The delegator may now focus on higher priority, higher yield tasks that they are in turn inspired and motivated from within to do.
The great philosopher Socrates once proclaimed, “Know thyself.” In the context of delegation, this wisdom emphasizes understanding one's strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing areas where one might not excel allows for more strategic delegation to those better equipped for specific tasks.
Alfred North Whitehead famously wrote about this: “Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them.”
We might even extend on Whitehead’s quote by stating: “Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which CAN BE PERFORMED without us thinking about them.”
With this difference, it would be appropriate to ask “How can I get this done without my continuing to think about this or doing it myself?”
Getting those tasks off your plate might involve delegating to other humans or to other-than-humans.
Ways to Achieve Effective Delegation by Delegating to Other-Than-Humans:
There are many tasks that do not need to be handed off to another human. That is the focus of this section and we provide here three of the most common and useful ways of delegating to ‘other-than-humans’.
Template Automation: Kumar took to heart the advice of attorney Rose Carter and when his medical practice was new and when, frankly, he was struggling to pay basic bills. He took that time to create hundreds of templates and has leveraged those for significant advantage and has taught many others to leverage that to their advantage too. This kind of automation ensures consistent results without constantly reinventing the wheel.
The power of templates cannot be overstated. They distill complex procedures into replicable actions, ensuring that the team consistently hits the desired benchmarks.
Process Automation: This is about having a clear, written, easy-to-follow set of instructions for executing a task. It ensures consistency, quality, and training efficiency.
Tech Automation: The realm of technology is vast. While we specialize more in leveraging human potential than tech, it's worth noting the incredible efficiency gains possible from technological tools. Every industry has or has the potential for tech automations. For example, for doctors, Electronic Medical Records, telemedicine, voice-assistant technology, and mobile apps. Even simple 'do not disturb' features are game-changers.
Delegating to Other Humans: Unleashing Collaborative Excellence
Delegation to others isn't merely about sharing the workload; it's a strategic move aimed at amplifying productivity, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of trust and responsibility. Proper delegation demands discernment, foresight, and effective communication.
One of the critical components of delegation to another human is the responsibility of the delegator to help the delegate see how performing this task will help them fulfill their purpose, what it is that they value most. It is only when the delegate can see a clear link between the delegated task and what they most want to achieve that they will be inspired from within to get it done.
Why Delegate?
Reflecting on Steve Jobs' philosophy, delegation aligns with the principle of focus. By empowering others to handle certain tasks, business owners can concentrate on high-impact activities that drive the company's mission.
Key Components of Choosing Whom to Delegate To
Recognizing individual strengths: This aligns with the wisdom of Sun Tzu in The Art of War: "Use the best of your master’s men for the frontline, and the inferior ones for the rear." In modern terms, align tasks with expertise.
Later, in Aristotle's reflection on excellence, he advised that leaders should identify and harness the intrinsic strengths of their team members.
This principle is echoed in the works of more recent Western thinkers like Immanuel Kant, who emphasized the autonomy and respect of individuals. Recognizing and capitalizing on individual strengths underpins effective delegation.
Train and Trust: Detailed steps are provided in The Time Trap by Alec MacKenzie. As you do this, beware that over-supervision can stifle creativity. This sentiment was reflected even in the ancient Indian scriptures, the Upanishads, which speaks of the importance of fostering independence.
Maintain a Feedback Loop: Be conscious that delegation does not mean abdication. You as the delegator might still be accountable for a task’s completion although you might not be responsible for doing it. As a result, you do want to have checks and balances in place that you would know what progress is being made and what challenges to completion are being experienced.
The Intrinsic Benefits of Delegation
Delegation offers deep rewards that includes:
Empowerment and Growth: Delegating entrusts and empowers. It drives team members to grow professionally.
Enhancing Innovation: Different perspectives introduce innovation, pushing businesses towards creative excellence.
Time Allocation: Reflecting on the Chintan Focus Process we introduced in September 2023 article: What’s On Your Plate, delegation clears mental and temporal space. Leaders can then invest time in high-priority tasks or in activities that inspire them.
From ancient China, the Taoist sage Laozi advised, "The wise leader speaks rarely. When the work is done, the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'" Laozi's insights resonate with the core of delegation: empowering others to take initiative. Through delegation, business leaders not only optimize workflow but also shape individuals, enabling them to rise to their fullest potential.
Effective delegation to other humans is a crucial skill for business leaders. It amplifies productivity, nurtures talent, and builds a collaborative workspace. Master this art, and you're not only propelling business growth but also shaping the next generation of leaders.
For those who wish to dive even deeper, resources like The Time Trap by Alec MacKenzie, The One Thing by Gary Keller, and the insights of Michael Hyatt are invaluable.
Remember, when you engage in tasks that don’t inspire you or drain you of energy, you risk diminishing your value and business potential. Delegate wisely and rise to the potential the Universe sees in you.
Embracing the Future: The Digital Age of Delegation
As we've entered the digital age, the concept of delegation has transcended traditional boundaries. It's no longer limited to just handing tasks to a fellow team member in your office. Here are a few examples of how your delegation is likely already changing:
Remote work and virtual teams are shaping delegation’s new landscape. Platforms like Upwork allow businesses to delegate tasks across time zones. Virtual Assistants are now commonplace in many industries. 24 hour availability is now easier than ever before.
Digital collaboration tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack aren't just for communication. They represent a new age of delegation, where tasks can be assigned, monitored, and completed in a collaborative digital space.
AI and Machine Learning: As highlighted by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee in "The Second Machine Age," AI is changing the way businesses operate. Routine tasks can now be delegated to algorithms, freeing up humans to tackle more complex, creative tasks.
All of these new forms of delegation allow you to experience more of what renowned author Cal Newport (in his book "Deep Work,") was emphasizing: dedicated focus for top-level cognitive functions. In a world filled with distractions, delegation becomes more critical than ever.
Delegation in the digital age also demands continuous learning. As Tom Peters famously said, "Leaders don't create followers; they create more leaders." This implies the need for training and upskilling, ensuring that as you delegate, you're also elevating your team to new horizons.
Embracing these new avenues for delegation not only ensures maximized productivity but also future-proofs businesses, making them agile and ready for the evolving global landscape.
In summing up this exploration of delegation, this timeless skill, whether from the perspective of ancient wisdom or modern strategy, remains a potent catalyst for organizational growth and individual evolution. As we stand on the precipice of a digital era, and blending lessons from the likes of Socrates, Laozi, and modern thought leaders, we are reminded that true leadership isn't about doing everything oneself, but rather empowering others to rise to their potential. Delegation, when executed with thought, strategy, and heart, transcends mere task allocation; it becomes a symphony of collaborative excellence. As businesses continue to evolve, those that master this art will not only be more likely to navigate the future with grace but will also leave a legacy of growth, innovation, and transformative leadership.
With Gratitude,
Amit and Kumar
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