Leadership for Saints: Part 41

Making Delegation Work
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

If you find it difficult to “let go,” you’re in good company. Some of the best leaders in history had to learn to practice the principle of delegation.

A classic case involved Moses and Jethro. Moses was exhausting himself trying to do everything for the children of Israel. He was serving as judge in all matters, both large and small. His father-in-law Jethro saw this and offered wise advice: “The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone” (see Exodus 18:17-18).

Jethro then counseled Moses to do two things. First, Moses was to teach the people principles that embodied his judgments so they wouldn’t have to come to him to judge every matter. They could use the principles as guidelines in addressing problems on their own. This is a powerful form of delegation—teaching true principles and trusting people to apply them.

Next, Moses was to choose faithful followers and delegate all smaller matters to them, retaining to himself only matters of major importance.

Notice that both of Jethro’s recommendations required Moses to invest more time at the beginning in setting things up. This required risk. Instead of rendering judgment directly, Moses carefully selected and trained other judges. He put his faith in them, knowing that they might do things differently than he would. They might even make mistakes.

As we see, the elements of time and risk made even Moses at first reluctant to delegate. Yet learning to delegate effectively helped him become one of history’s greatest leaders.           

Four Important Questions
For the leader who is determined to avoid being a one-person show and who wants to bless others with opportunities to serve, at least four questions should be carefully addressed: 

(1)  What is the task or assignment? 

(2)  Who is available to fulfill it?

(3)  Whom does the Lord want?

(4)   How do I train and inspire this individual to accept and carry out this stewardship with excellence?

You cannot effectively delegate a task or assignment until you understand at least the general parameters.  Does the task require special skills or experience? What training is needed and available? What sort of time commitments must be made by the person accepting the assignment? What meetings are involved? 

Closely related to your careful assessment of the task or assignment itself is your appraisal of the people who might be available to fill it. Depending on your own role – whether you are offering counsel to the leader who must make the final selection decision or whether you are the leader making the final decision—some obvious questions must be considered. 

For instance, who in your resource pool (the branch, ward or stake) is now available or could be available for the assignment? Which of these people has the requisite skills or experience? Which of them is most likely to be reliable in fulfilling the stewardship? Do your homework on these issues, and carefully seek confirmation from the Spirit.

The fourth question to be addressed—How do I train and inspire this individual to accept and carry out this stewardship with excellence?—is especially crucial.  Why? Because, frankly, too often Church assignments are given with the false assumption that the task will somehow be done properly and promptly through the goodwill of the worker.  In reality, the worker may have the very best of intentions but simply lack the competence and confidence to carry out the assignment. 

That’s where clarity of expectations enters into the delegation formula. 

Quotes Worth Remembering
Effective delegation is the result of serious planning, a clear explanation of what is involved, proper training, follow-through, and a willingness to let go. - William G. Dyer

To work through others involves the risk of doing things differently. – Stephen R. Covey

Wise delegation requires prayerful preparation, as does effective teaching or preaching. – Ezra Taft Benson

If you treat a man as he is, he will remain as he is, but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, and could be, he will become what he ought to be, and should be. - Goethe

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© by Rodger Dean Duncan & Ed J. Pinegar, All Rights Reserved