Seven Levels of Delegation

by | Oct 31, 2023 | Coaching, Delegation, Workshops

multiple hands of diverse color hold colorful puzzle pieces and fit them together.

The first session of our two-part workshop, Empowering Collaboration: Mastering Delegation, Power-Sharing, and Decision-Making, highlighted the importance of delegation as a way to develop staff members. 

Until the session, I had thought of delegation as something a team leader or supervisor does—a sort of fait accompli. 

Our workshop facilitator, Jessica Lembelembe (also Board Chair of Impact Now), pointed out that delegation is an opportunity to do more than share the load between the parties (supervisor and staff member, between teams or team members). Delegation—

  • Encourages shared responsibility.
  • Promotes dialogue.
  • Helps the parties concur on clear expectations.
  • Provides opportunity for growth.
  • Builds trust within the team or between supervisor and staff.
  • Nurtures commitment to the organization.
The Seven Delegation Levels that Jessica shared are a great model to use.
  1. Tell: Make a decision and tell the others
  2. Sell: Make the decision for others and convince the other party(ies) about the decision.
  3. Consult: Ask for input that you honestly take into consideration before making the decision.
  4. Agree: Engage others in the decision-making and come to consensus.
  5. Advise: Offer your opinion, your insight, your experience, then leave the decision to the other party(ies).
  6. Inquire: Leave the decision to others and ask them to convince you of the wisdom of their decision.
  7. Delegate:Leave the decision completely to the others.

As you move through the levels, the primary responsibility for the decision begins to shift from the supervisor or team leader to the staff member or the team members. 

Consider how The Seven Levels of delegation can help you, your team, and your staff grow together for the benefit of your organization.

By the way, our second fall workshop, Getting More Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: How to Embrace Emotional Conversations, will be starting soon: November 21.

AND if you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll receive a PROMO Code for $5 off the workshop price. (This will be sent with our next newsletter on November 6—sign up by 11:59 pm November 5.)

 

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