Monday, August 4, 2025 The Fine Art of Delegating Sharing the load at work can enhance productivity, morale, and success. Guide Magazine Anyone who is part of a workplace team should know and value the power of delegation. But delegating means giving up some control, and that can be tough for veteran workers or type A personalities who believe it’s easier if I just do it myself. Whether you’re a journeyperson on a big construction project, a healthcare worker juggling multiple demands, or working in a fast-paced retail or manufacturing environment, delegating can make workloads more manageable for you and provide valuable learning opportunities for others. Author Jenny Blake is a career strategist and international speaker who helps people prevent burnout and create sustainable careers. She says delegation should begin with a full review of your tasks and offers rules for how to determine who does what. 6 “T-Rules” to Determine Which Tasks Can Be Done by Others Tiny – Little things might take a small amount of time to complete, but that time definitely adds up. Someone with fewer responsibilities can usually handle the small stuff, so don’t sweat it. Tedious – Tedious tasks are a fact of life in every workplace. They require little skill and are a wonderful way for entry-level employees to get to know the job from the ground up. Time-consuming – If one of your regular tasks takes a lot of time, look for ways to break it up and hand off some of the details to others. The adage many hands make light work applies here. Teachable – Do you have tasks that someone else is eager to learn? If a task is teachable, and doesn’t require your expertise, then it’s a prime candidate for delegation. Terrible at – We are all better at some parts of our job than others. If someone has a natural aptitude for a task that stymies you, by all means pass it along or trade for a job you’re good at. Delegation works both ways. Time-sensitive – These projects will be a real test of your delegation skills because a looming deadline could make it hard to rely on others. The key is to plan early and make sure everyone understands the assignment. This way, the work will not just get done on time, it could very well result in a better final product. Remember to strive for progress, not perfection. Delegate with the understanding that even if someone else only gets part way through a task, or doesn’t do it as well as you would, that still represents progress. 7 Ways to Delegate Successfully Choose the right person for the job. Explain why you’re delegating. Give clear instructions. Provide resources and training. Delegate both responsibility and authority. Check the work and provide feedback. Say thank you. Sources: hbr.org, meistertask.com You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026