Delegate and Follow-up
Delegation: On or Off the Bus...
Over the past several weeks we have been exploring the value to growing organizations of delegating responsibility and authority. Thus far we have reviewed the principle of multiplication, the linkage between responsibility and authority, and outlined the value of a succinct job description to augment clear communication.
Delegate: Clear Communication
Last week we discussed the critical link between delegation and responsibility when assigning tasks to others in a growing organization. As we continue this discussion we consider another key principle in effective leadership: clearly communicating what is being re-tasked to each person.
Delegating Responsibility and Authority
We continue the conversation on delegating to others – which is a key strategy for a growing organization. A central principle in looking at this topic is the critical linkage between responsibility and authority.
The graph, above, is a prime example of the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words" because it illustrates a simple insight:
Responsibility and Authority must be connected in equal and full measure when delegating tasks to others.
From the graph above we observe the following:
Delegate: Multiply to Grow
We continue the conversation on delegating authority as a key strategy for growing an organization. A central principle in looking at this topic is affirming the axiom of multiplication.
We consciously select the word “axiom” because we observe in the laws of organic science that multiplication is the norm for healthy organisms: cells multiply, plants multiply, animals multiply – and in the natural order of human beings, people multiply.
Multiplication is the growth-pattern that we observe in living science.
Is Leadership Born or Learned? - by Dan Zimberoff
Note: We are pausing in our discussion of delegating authority to provide the following guest article written by Dan Zimberoff.
Dan is a former US Navy commanding officer, combat veteran, and graduate of Top Gun. He coaches youth hockey and is a Partner with Barker Martin, P.S., a Pacific Northwest law firm focusing on community association law.
By request, Dan graciously provided the following insights...
Delegate to Grow
When companies or non-profit organizations begin, they are normally composed of a relatively few people who work together closely with the owner or owners on a day-to-day basis. Over time, however, as the enterprise begins to grow in scale, there will come a point when the founder/owner cannot continue to handle everything personally and must therefore add personnel to help carry the workload. Accordingly, knowing how and when to delegate effectively is a critical skill in the tool belt of effective leaders.
Discernment in Leadership - Part 4
Last week Leadership Notes highlighted the distinct value of leaders who are discerning. As mentioned then, the capacity to exercise discernment not only benefits those who lead; most importantly, it can benefit – and potentially protect – those who are impacted by one’s leadership.
Developing Discernment in Leadership - Part 3
In last week’s article on the topic of discernment, I stated, “In order for leaders to lead effectively, the exercise of discernment is essential. We live in a day when anyone with charisma can attract a crowd – whether they are the real deal or a mere charmer with advanced personal communication skill. The ability to tell the difference is essential. This ability is called discernment.”
In response, several questions have arisen:
The Essential Need for Discernment
In order for leaders to lead effectively, the exercise of discernment is essential. We live in a day when anyone with charisma can attract a crowd – whether they are the real deal or a mere charmer with advanced personal communication skill.
The ability to tell the difference is essential. This ability is called discernment.
Pages
