A friend needed a brochure to promote a women’s event at her church.
One of the women on the committee volunteered - she’d done a design course, and was happy to help out.
The next weekend, the brochure was being distributed at church - and it wasn’t at all what my friend was looking for. Nor had she expected the volunteer to create, print and distribute without meeting up to discuss again. This is a classic case of delegation miscommunication, and many of us have been there!
As churches and not-for-profits are all about working with volunteers, it’s important that ministry leaders learn not only how to delegate, but also communicating what we’re delegating. These are two weaknesses in myself that I am particularly conscious of. Michael Hyatt recently wrote a very useful piece on the five levels of delegation that I found helpful (thanks to Paul Dale for sharing this with me).
You can read the full post here - ‘The Five Levels of Delegation’.
Level 1: Do exactly what I have asked you to do. Don't deviate from my instructions. I have already researched the options and determined what I want you to do.
Level 2: Research the topic and report back. We will discuss it, and then I will make the decision and tell you what I want you to do.
Level 3: Research the topic, outline the options, and make a recommendation. Give me the pros and cons of each option, but tell me what you think we should do. If I agree with your decision, I will authorize you to move forward.
Level 4: Make a decision and then tell me what you did. I trust you to do the research, make the best decision you can, and then keep me in the loop. I don't want to be surprised by someone else.
Level 5: Make whatever decision you think is best. No need to report back. I trust you completely. I know you will follow through. You have my full support.
More clearly communicating what we’re delegating will no doubt avoid a lot of confusion, heartache, tough conversations and wasted time.
Have you got any other tips for improving our processes of delegation?
