The Delegation Trap // Unlocking Your Teams Potential

Your team will most likely be your biggest expense AND your biggest asset.

Delegation – it's a word that often evokes mixed feelings among entrepreneurs and business leaders. Some see it as a necessary evil, while others view it as a strategic tool for growth and efficiency. At Fierce Decorum, we firmly believe that delegation is not just important – it's essential for unlocking your team's full potential and achieving your business goals.

Debunking the Delegation Trap

One of the most common misconceptions about delegation is the belief that it's more work to show someone else how to do a task than it is to do it yourself. This couldn't be further from the truth. While delegating tasks may require an initial time investment to train team members, the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term effort. By empowering others to take on responsibilities, you free up valuable time and mental bandwidth to focus on high-impact activities that drive growth and innovation.

It's Not a 1-1 Ratio

Contrary to popular belief, delegation is not a one-to-one exchange. In other words, delegating a task doesn't mean simply transferring the responsibility from one person to another. Instead, it's an opportunity to leverage the unique skills and talents of your team members to achieve better outcomes collectively. By strategically allocating tasks based on individual strengths and expertise, you can maximize efficiency, creativity, and productivity across your organization.

I personally LOVE tapping into my teams genius. I understand if someone on the team can do something as good as or better than me, that’s a gift! Plus they will come at it with different strengths and perspective which could lead to a better outcome for the client! That is magical!!

Maximizing Your Team's Potential

Your team is your greatest asset, and delegation is the key to unlocking their full potential. By entrusting your team members with meaningful responsibilities and opportunities for growth, you not only empower them to develop new skills and capabilities but also foster a sense of ownership and accountability. As a result, you'll create a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence that drives your organization forward.

You have an ability to lead with education, if I have a team member who wants to learn a skill, I’m all for it. I’ll buy a course or find a training or train them myself, or even have another team member train them. We are all a collective team working towards the same goal.

One thing that can happen with this, if you’re a small organization like me, people might outgrow you and move on. That’s happened to me many times. And yes it’s sad and sometimes frustrating because you have to replace them. But, it can also be very rewarding and encouraging. Knowing I had a hand in helping one of my team members gain skills and confidence to move on to their dreams. Getting a little teary eyed thinking about it. My mission at Fierce Decorum is not just about our clients, it’s also about my team.

Learning from the Military Model

My husband is a retired marine, so we have lots of marine stories in our house. In any military branch, delegation isn't just a best practice – it's a fundamental principle of leadership. In a military unit, a single commander is responsible for leading a team of soldiers, each with their own specialized roles and responsibilities. By delegating tasks effectively, military leaders are able to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their unit, achieving their objectives with precision and agility. Similarly, in business, effective delegation enables leaders to leverage the collective talents of their team to achieve strategic goals and overcome challenges.

One other insightful piece I learned from the military model, is generally leaders are only in charge of six people. I’ve brought that into my team as well as other businesses. If you are trying to manage 10-50 individuals, that’s a load, how can you bring on other leaders to take on groups, you need a leadership foundation or it could lead to burnout or leadership struggles with too many people.

Harness the Power of Delegation

At Fierce Decorum, we understand the transformative power of delegation in driving business success. Whether you're a solopreneur looking to scale your operations or a seasoned executive leading a team of professionals, delegation is the key to unlocking your organization's full potential.

Delegation is a strategic tool for growth, you'll not only free up valuable time and resources but also empower your team to excel and innovate in their respective roles. So, don't fall into the delegation trap – instead, embrace it as a powerful driver of organizational success.