Why and How Sign Managers Must Delegate

FOR MANY BUSINESS owners, the dream is to build a business so that you can be the leader, and others can do the day-to-day activities of operating it. For some, it’s natural to delegate, but if you’re like me, you are terrified of letting responsibilities out of your hands.

I found delegating extremely difficult. It seemed to me that I was often “best” at everything I was doing, and it was easier to do it myself than to watch someone do it badly, or to take the time to invest in coaching someone on how to do it well, only to have them leave eventually.

I was impatient and angry that no one could meet my standards, and I was also very, very tired. When I grew tired enough, I finally got curious about how to delegate more.

I’m proof that delegation can be learned! And I’m a total convert! Here are some ways you might make the commitment to delegation in your business and get out of the way of new possibilities and growth!

First, before you can try delegation, you must look in the mirror and spend some time with the problem: you. Are you willing to accept that the reason you are stressed and over-busy is because you won’t let go? If you can admit “yes,” we’re ready to start:

• Choose something small to delegate first. Something with an obvious start and end. Work with someone in the company whom you already know and trust.
• Don’t choose the thing you are obsessed with. You may never, ever delegate the things you are truly passionate about. For me, the customer relationship is the part I love most, so I retain a firm hold staying in touch with my clients. Maybe you are obsessed over the design process or the efficiency of the table work.
• Be consistent. Spend time training and then coaching on the task. Provide a training document, even something as simple as notes you make during training. Don’t train one time and hand it over; make it a process to show you they know how to do it, and you confirm it’s done right.
• Give the why. Be sure they understand why this task is important. Give them context about why the specific way you want it done is important.
• Be specific. Don’t be afraid to give them very detailed instructions on how it should be done and by what time. If you’re asking them to follow up on estimates, write out a quick script and tell them to complete a specific number of calls by lunch.
• Ask for a report. Eventually, you may not want a report every time they do this task, but until they are comfortable with the task and you are certain it’s done right, ask for a report — whether an email to you, in a shared spreadsheet or on paper on your desk.
• Reward the try. If you see them struggling to learn and get it right, encourage the effort by noticing that they continue to try.
• Keep training to get what you want. Don’t accept less than what you really want from the effort. Help them notice where they fall short, but encourage them when they get something right.
• Continue your focus. Don’t assume it will forever go the way you want after weeks or months of success. Spot check. Notice when it’s right and acknowledge. Also be sure to point out any missed steps along the way.

Delegation is an incredible skill that will help you exponentially grow your business and your personal satisfaction as an owner. Get past your own doubts and worries, and you’ll find the bandwidth to grow the business, take time off or launch your next business!