Academic Leadership

Chapter 7 – Developer

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7.4 Delegating Effectively

(click the activity index number to take you back to the activities index)

An important aspect of the developer role is the ability to provide appropriate
opportunities and resources for staff members working with you to ensure they develop
the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. One of the best ways to develop new
skills and abilities is to work on challenging assignments that push us beyond our current
level of functioning.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this activity is to assist you in delegating

effectively.

Delegation can help you to develop the skills and capabilities of your team by giving
them tasks that challenge them within a supportive environment. Delegation can also
help you to manage your workload, as it will give you more time to attend to other
significant issues. However, effective delegation is more than simply giving tasks to
others.

Steps in Effective Delegation Questions to Ask Yourself

Step 1: Select an appropriate task or tasks to delegate.

Some tasks you will not want to, or may not be

able to delegate. But if you only delegate

menial, simple tasks that do not challenge

people they may feel that you don’t trust them

• and you certainly won’t provide then with
  opportunities to develop their skills and
  knowledge. If you delegate tasks that are likely
  to be too complex or difficult for others to
  complete they will feel that they have failed
  you, and you will have a lot of work to do to
  retrieve the task and repair your relationship

with them.

1. What, specifically, are you delegating?

2. Why this task or tasks?

Step 2: Select the most appropriate person for that task.

You will need to pay careful attention to the

current skill levels of those you are working

with so that you delegate tasks that challenge

and interest them, but that, with support, they

will be able to complete effectively.

1. What knowledge, skills and experience does
   the individual possess in terms of being able
   to manage the delegated task(s)?


2. What gaps are there in the individual’s skill
   base and what strategies and resources do
   you have in place to support them?


3. How does the person view their role in the
   program team? How does this delegation
   support that role or support their career
   plan?


4. What is the current workload of the person?
   Do they have time for the additional
   responsibility? Is there a reasonable match
   between your deadline and their availability?