Delegation – Delegating the Task & the Authority

By Amy L Shoemaker, President and Owner of Amy L Shoemaker Partnerships, LLC and CWCC Member

I have met some incredibly bright and talented leaders.  When the topic of “delegation” comes up, they grimace and comment that they need to get better at that!

This is a 3 part blog on Delegation Tips for Success – What to Delegate, How to Effectively Delegate and Delegating the Task and the Authority.

Delegating the Task and the Authority
Once you have identified What you can Delegate, and have planned Who and How will you delegate, it’s time to also consider how much of the task and authority for completing the task should be delegated.

	Delegate the Task	Delegate the Authority
Level One	Get the facts, do the research	I’ll decide and retain the authority
Level Two	Suggest alternatives based on the employee’s research	I’ll discuss the alternatives which the employee suggests and retain the authority
Level Three	Do the research, consider options and decide on a solution	Review your solution with me and I retain final approval for the solution
Level Four	Do the research, consider options and decide on a solution	Implement the employee’s solution unless I ask to be included in advance
Level Five	Do the research, consider options, and implement your solution	Implement the solution and report the results to me
Level Six	Do the research, consider options, and implement your solution	Implement the solution and only report the results if the solution is unsuccessful
Level Seven	Do the research, consider options, and implement your solution	Implement the solution and reporting is not needed

Each assignment may be delegated at a different level based on the experience of the employee in completing that task.  When an employee is promoted, you may retain more authority for new assignments until you are comfortable that the employee is knowledgeable in their new responsibilities.

Please take a few minutes to decide the level of delegation for each task and the authority you are able to delegate for that task.  Then delegate the 3 projects or assignments you identified and clearly identify the action and authority you are delegating to your employees so they can be successful.

If you are interested in learning more about what skills are needed to advance your career, take a look at the Corporate Executive Leadership Academy offered at the Colorado Women’s Chamber.

 

About Amy L. Shoemaker, PHR, SHRM-CP, CMC, EMBA
Amy Shoemaker utilizes more than 25 years of business experience in human resources and training to provide strategic human resource consulting, executive coaching and leadership development, and merger and acquisition leadership integration.  She uses her 18 years experience as a vice president and strategic HR leader in entrepreneurial mid-size, and Fortune 500 corporations to exceed her clients’ expectations.  Amy develops future leaders by serving as adjunct faculty and content adviser for the Master’s in Strategic Human Resources program at The University of Denver.  She is adjunct faculty for Colorado State University’s Veterinary Management Institute and Beverage Business Institute.

Education and Certifications

• Wichita State University, Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA)
• Stanford Graduate School of Business, Human Resources Executive Program
• Cornell University – Diversity Course Employer Adviser
• HR Certification Institute, Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Behavioral Coaching Institution, Certified Master Coach (CMC)
• CPI 260 Leadership Assessment, Certified Practitioner
• Emergenetics International, Certified Associate
• Thomas Killman Instrument – Conflict Resolution Style

Professional Associations and Civic Groups

• Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Facilitator/Founder Corporate Leadership Academy
• Mile High SHRM Chapter, Board of Directors- Professional Development Groups
• Northern Colorado Human Resource Association, Board of Directors, Conference Chair
• Rocky Mountain HR People & Strategy, member

Contact:  amy@shoemakerpartnerships.com;
Office: 303-993-2364;    Mobile: 316-305-7972
Website: ShoemakerPartnerships.com
LinkedIn: Amy L Shoemaker