The best leaders aren’t those who instruct their team at every corner and turn – but rather,
they are those who have perfected the art of delegating!
While this might be questionable to some, it’s crucial to remember that your energy should be reserved for key decision-making and meaningful tasks that will advance your business. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your team ought to follow a hierarchy; it just means that at some point, you won’t be able to do everything yourself.
From administration and marketing, to working reception and home opens, I myself experienced the pitfalls of trying to do too much. There are only so many hours in the week an individual can dedicate to work, but after many sleepless nights and burnt out days, I’d come to suffer the effects of spreading myself too thin.
So how exactly does delegating make a real difference?
Fundamentally, it starts with recruiting bright and enthusiastic individuals who are willing to prove their worth. Of course, a great team begins with finding the right people from all walks of life. You can certainly teach skills and processes or find someone with the right qualifications, but you can’t always teach someone how to adopt the right attitude.
As our team at Minic Property Group grew, I knew that delegation had started to become a naturally occurring process. However, it was still important for Michael and I as leaders to provide direction for each of our staff members. We then had to identify which tasks were time-consuming or reliant on skill – and categorised these accordingly. With a better idea of what we had to conquer, we just needed to match the tasks to the right people.
Once you’ve come to your decision, ensure that you brief the person to the best of your ability – and if they have any questions, be receptive. No matter how big or small, it’s better to have these questions answered than to have your staff remain unsure. Clarity in instruction equates to precision in execution.
Going hand-in-hand with this was finally learning how to let go. Entrusting your team with a task is more than about getting the job done; in fact, it’s about identifying the capabilities of each staff and delegating them tasks where you know they will shine. Like anything, you can start small. As you become more assured in letting your team take over heavier tasks, you will notice the difference in their energy as well as yours. This, in turn, can increase morale and create rapport with your team. Just remember – if you’ve delegated it, do not interfere with it! If you really are worried, check in and every now and again (not every second hour).
Next, I implore you to empower your team with decision-making. By letting them take that one step further, you can be the role model they need to instil them with both confidence and power. Not only is this incredibly motivating, but it establishes a co-operative dynamic between you and your staff – and amongst your entire team!