Exercise 5

1. In most cases, I can do tasks quicker and better myself than if I delegate.

2. Before I delegate something, I take the time to visualize the end result and to communicate that to the delegatee.

3. I work longer hours than others doing the same kind of work.

4. A written outline or sketch of what I want always accompanies my oral description of the tasks I delegate.

5. If I get back work that is not what I had in mind, I discuss it with the person to sort out where the misunderstanding occurred and how it could be different in the future.

6 .I ask that work be redone as many times as it takes to make it perfect.

7. I include the date and time the work is due on my requests. I encourage those who cannot commit to the timeline to renegotiate. I reassign the task, if necessary.

8. Even though I work constantly, efficiently and effectively, I miss too many deadlines. There is simply too much for me to do.

9. I keep a log of work given out and its due date, with copies of instructions attached.

10. I check work in progress rather than wait until the due date so as to catch potential problems early.

11. I concern myself with results, not methods, allowing delegatees the leeway to use their own strategies to accomplish the task. Doing so encourages greater creativity, productivity and self-respect.

12. I find myself not getting enough of the “important stuff” done, spending more time on details than on planning or supervising.

13. When delegating, I always indicate what resources are available and what support I can give.

14. I always thank people for their efforts, even if it needs revision. Likewise, I give credit, as needed, for those who did the work.

15. I avoid delegating to the first person who comes to mind, instead taking time to carefully consider who would be the best for the task.

16. I carefully evaluate team members, subcontractors or volunteers—to make sure they are people to whom I could delegate.

17. Whenever possible, I delegate complete projects, not just individual tasks that would require my constant supervision.

18. I often find myself working while my team members are idle.

19. I delegate only the jobs I find distasteful, leaving the good ones for me.

20. I’m able to live with acceptable work that is not done the way I would have done it.