Delegation in Ministry part 2

Delegation is a necessity.

To multiply your effectiveness, you must improve your delegation skills.

Delegation, Step One:  Plan to Delegate

This is an often overlooked step in the delegation process, but it is a crucial one.  This step will make every subsequent step more favorable to produce your desired outcome.

We have heard it said, "failing to plan is planning to fail."

This is where you would notice the need for delegation, break down the tasks or projects to be delegated, and you would find the right person to delegate the tasks to.

Sounds easy, right?

However, many leaders fail to see the need for delegation.  They are content managing all of the details to every project by themselves.  This is not the most productive or beneficial way to do ministry.

Personally, I have reduced my core job description down to three things.  

1) Preaching 

2) Vision (Determining where our church is heading)

3) Leadership

Everything else should be delegated. 

Listen to this by Peter Economy editor for Leader to Leader.

Decide what to delegate: Determine what you can delegate and whenever possible, delegate the entire task rather than parcelling it out. This increases initiative, gives more control over results, minimises confusion and eliminates unnecessary co-ordination.

Delegate recurring tasks, detail work, attendance at some meetings and activities that will be a part of the team members' future responsibilities. Reserve complex and sensitive issues like performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, counselling and morale problems, confidential tasks, for yourself.

Decide whom to delegate: When assigning a task, consider a person's demonstrated skill, his interest in the task and current workload. Know each person's record for success on similar assignments -- how he works with others, when does he operate best and what abilities he has to work under pressure.

There is no substitute for knowing each team member well, both personally and professionally. Sometimes, be daring. If given the chance, many people can do well at activities they have never attempted before.

The logical person for the task may not always be the most obvious choice.

Before delegating that next project or new department responsibility, take some time to really think it through and plan before you delegate, your people will thank you for it.

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