Understand your team is made up of human beings. No one can work nonstop, so get your timing right. Know what each employee can handle, and never overwork them. Most people perform at their best when consistently busy but not rushed or pressured.
Focus on your team’s strengths. Delegation is not a dump-and-run tactic. Know your employees and how they fit into your business puzzle. Let them do what they do well, and give them responsibilities and authority. They’ll be happier and so will you.
Focus on your own strengths, then plug the holes. If bookkeeping isn’t your thing, hire an accountant. If you don’t have marketing experience, find someone with proven skills. Trying to perform jobs you don’t do well will require twice as much effort with less-than-satisfactory results.
Be the resource king or queen. Your employees are only as good as the resources they have. Make sure they’re equipped to always do the best work for you on a daily basis. Running out of stock, not having new software and not shelling out for that desperately needed printer is not good delegation.
Become the fire, ice and motivation behind your team. When they need guidance, give it to them; when they need appreciation, offer it to them. Inspire, motivate and lead by supporting your delegated decisions and following up on them often.
Zenovia Andrews (www.zenoviaandrews.com) is a business development strategist with extensive experience in corporate training, performance management, leadership development and sales consulting. She’s also is the author of All Systems Go and MAXOut: I Want It All.
