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Contrary to what many managers think, delegation is not simply “forwarding” the task to a more junior member of the team.
To delegate effectively, the leader must first need to know how to do the task himself. This is an important but often forgotten step, as only by knowing how to do the task, will the leader then know:
(a) who he can delegate the task to who will have the best chance to succeed
(b) what type and how much supporting resources the team member will need to get the task done
(c) how long it will take; and
(d) how much supervision (or guidance) the team member will need.
If a leader delegates without knowing the answers to the above four questions, the Leader is not delegating but passing the buck. And, the chance of the task failing is high.
Effective delegation therefore not only requires the leader to know his job but to also know his people.
