An effective leader knows how to delegate tasks to committees, chairpersons, and individual members. While it may often seem easier to just do it yourself, delegation is important to the health of the organization, because:
- Members have an opportunity to develop new skills (which looks good on their resumes) and learn to handle more responsibility.
- Time is freed for leaders to spend in coordinating, long-range planning and other tasks.
- Members with specific tasks are more committed to the success of the club.
- It helps you avoid burn-out, since you don't have to do it all yourself.
- New club leaders can emerge from work done on projects.
When you delegate, you give someone else the authority to act on your behalf, with the understanding that they are responsible for the results and accountable to you. Here are some guidelines to help you delegate effectively:
Be specific
Break larger tasks, such as publicity or event-planning, into its smaller parts and ask members to volunteer or assign them to carry them out. Ask a member to distribute flyers in front of the Student Union on a specific date, rather than telling them "to take care of publicity."
Be Straightforward
If assuming some responsibility is expected of every member, you may wish to simply assign tasks. On the other hand, the situation may dictate that you solicit volunteers. In either case, it is important to be straightforward as to whether you are asking or telling.
Put it in writing
For clarity, give assignments on paper, so that you both can refer back as the work goes on. Describe the job, your expectations, human and financial resources required, deadlines and anything else that will clarify the responsibilities and duties involved in getting the job done.
Use members' strengths
Know what your members can and like to do. Try to match delegated tasks to members' interests and strengths, as it's more likely the tasks will be completed. However, don't always give a particular task to a particular person (i.e., the art major who is always asked to do posters). Variety in delegated responsibilities can help organization members develop new strengths and keep them interested in the work.
Distribute tasks evenly
Spread the fun tasks and grunt work around. Let everyone take a crack at ushering that great concert you're putting on and at paperwork needed to make it happen.
Assess time limitations
Respect your own and your members' time limitations. To delegate without allowing reasonable time for task completion results in frustration on your part and resentment on the part of your members.
Follow up
Especially if you don't know your members well, set a specific goal and date for completion, and check-in with them as they move toward finishing it. Follow-up also indicates to group members your interest in the task.
While attention to these guidelines does take time, following them can help you in attaining your goals of involving the members of your organization, and of developing new leaders for the coming year. |
