It was a disaster. I was frustrated. I could not figure out what went wrong. I had asked volunteers to do one thing and they did something completely different. I had even handed them written instructions. As I took the sheet back from them to figure out why the set-up for the room was backwards it dawned on me. What I had told them was completely different from what was written. No wonder they were confused.
Delegation is an art. If it was easy everyone would do it…seriously. Delegating means:
- Sharing the burden
- Expanding your capacity
- Replacing yourself
If you properly delegate you can grow and effective and healthy ministry. To master the art of delegation you need to:
Start Small And Build: Delegation is a great way of boosting confidence in your leaders. Start small and then build responsibility later on. If you are not sure where to start think of something that has low consequences. If they fail, in the end it’s not big deal. You can always recover.
Treat It Like An Investment: It’s not just about clearing your plate. Delegation is about growing leaders. If there is failure look at it as a learning lesson. Use this opportunity to build confidence and independence in your leaders. If they see that you are trusting them, they’ll come to you when the task is over their head.
Always Strive For Clarity: If you want something done correctly make sure your instruction is clear. Write it out, and go through your request with them. Have them repeat what you’ve instructed. No matter what make sure you are both saying, hearing and thinking the same thing. When delegation is clear so are the results.
Follow Up: Quality will dip at first. This is not a bad thing, it just means there is room for growth. To take advantage of this growth opportunity follow up with the person. Reflect on what went well, what did not and what you all learned. The more you dissect the situation the more clarity you’ll have.
Do not fear the risk of delegating because the benefits are greater. Find people you trust to give it a go and build on your success. The more you share the burden and responsibilities of your ministry the more teens you’ll be able to reach.
What of these four steps do you struggle with the most?
Leave A Comment