Delegating or Dumping
Delegating tasks or assignments is different than dumping in that when we "dump" things on our employees we do bother explaining what we need, what is expected of them, or what the end result should be. In short, we just throw tasks or projects at our employees and expect them to understand what we want, or just "read our mind". Delegating assignments and projects requires explanation, expectations, and clarifications. It also allows feedback from the employees, a time for questions to be answered, and gives everyone involved a sense of organization.
What is the difference between delegating and dumping? What characteristics define a successful delegation process?
Crystal,
True. In that communication, it is important to determine the development needs of the individual so you can tailor the delegated tasks to that need. Next, it is the manager's responsibility to monitor progress and guide when necessary. Too often, delegation is simply a way to clear the manager's desk of those mundane tasks you talked about rather than allowing it to be an actual learning experience.
Dr. Patricia Kapper
Unlike effective delegating, dumping usually consists of assigning only tedious, mundane tasks to your staff and does not develop a level of trust or communication between you and your staff.
Stephen,
Although your response was brief, you are essentially correct. Dumping has more benefit for the delegator with little thought or attention given to the employee. It is done in order to remove tasks from the delegator's plate rather than to develop the skills and experience of the employee. Delegators do provide support and do track progress because the ultimate responsibility for the successful completion of the task continues to rest with the manager/delegator.
Dr. Patricia Kapper
Dumping is the lack of providing support and tracking progress.
Brian,
You are right on target, Brian. To dump a task is purely self serving. To delegate a task is to give serious thought as to the benefit to be gained by asking an employee to take on that responsibility. We are sometimes reluctant to delegate because it does take more time. Training needs to occur as does follow up to make certain the employee is progressing appropriately and to ascertain whether there is any need for coaching. These tasks should give added visibility to the employee as well as to help them develop new skills in areas where they are quite as adept. The ultimate responsibility still rests with the supervisor to make certain the task is completed satisfactorily and on time.
Dr. Patricia Kapper
Brian,
You are right on target with the difference between delegating and dumping. People hesitate to delegate because it takes more time and more thought to do it right. Often, it is just easier to do it yourself and get it done more quickly. To do so, however, deprives your staff of the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Delegation also develops the "team" in that gaining exposure to the "inside story" builds loyalty, understanding, and support.
The difference between delegating and dumping is the result you are looking for in the end. If I were to dump something, it is simply meant to take work off of my plate with no other motives. To delegate, it is meant to not only reduce your own personal workload that allows you to focus on other areas but also to enhance and further develop your employees. I typically delegate many tasks to my staff because they are given the opportunity to see more of the larger picture and in return develop more skill sets and committment to the ending results.
William,
Welcome to the class.
Your response was excellent. The only thing that I would add is the fact that the supervisor maintains responsibility for the successful completion of the task. When you delegate, the responsibility doesn't go with the delegation. Delegation can be difficult to do but if you look at it as an opportunity to give an employee an opportunity for professional growth, the guilt is diminished for some.
Pat
Anthony,
Welcome to the class.
You are correct on your distinction between dumping and delegating. Additionally, you as the supervisor continues to maintain the ultimate responsibility for the successful completion of the task. Truly effective delegation requires that you monitor progress and guide or direct as needed. The employee to whom you delegate should gain some additional skills as a result of the delegation of a task. Delegation should result in a win-win situation as the supervisor is freed up from a task and the employee takes on a task which possibly provides leadership opportunities and skill development.
Pat
Successful delegation requires the manager to consider several key points. He must identify areas of work load that can be delegated; responsibilities which consume a good deal of time but do not require the manager's special skills or authority. He must also identify the the particular person who is most suited to assume the task and approach that person face to face with the offer. Delegation involves training,setting goals, follow up, and encouragement. Successful delegation helps to advance the career development of those involved and the also helps the company.
Dumping is unloading responsibilities on to subordinates without regard to to any of the above. Dumping is centered on the mangers desire for less work load without regard to the overall good of the staff or the company. Dumping is based in selfishness and is usually recognized as such by the person being dumped on. It usually results in discontented workers and hindrance of overall company advancement.
I would say that dumping is just getting rid of things that we don't care to do with no instruction to the employee and not caring about the end result.
Delegating a task requires that the employee has the skills to provide desired resuls. It will require explanation and an understanding of the task at hand. The employee should benefit from the experience and grow professionaly. It will benefit me by lightening my work load.
Alicia,
You are right on target and provided a clear, concise response. The other piece of the process is the fact that the supervisor continues to be ultimately responsible and, therefore, needs to touch base periodically to make certain all is progressing as expected. There tend to be two kinds of supervisors--those who delegate too much and those who delegate too little. Finding an appropriate balance is key to effectiveness.
Pat
I have plenty of experience with dumping (more so receiving the dump). Dumping is where projects, assignments, and/or new work responsibilities are added without regard for experience, current work load, resources, time, followup etc.
Delegating involves planning, assessing time requirements, assess whether this should/could be a permanent delegation, assessing skills, assessing the reason for the delegation, assigning the right task/project to the right person for the right reason, clear and open communication, follow-up.
Hi Sean,
You have made an important distinction between dumping and delegating. When you dump, you are thinking solely of yourself and the positive impact on you of getting rid of that task. When you delegate, the focus is on the person to whom you are delegating and what they might gain from the experience of taking on that task. To delegate is to create a win-win situation.
Pat
I belive an important difference is in delegating you are there to explaint he project and give support.Dumping would remove yourself completely and give little guidance from the start.
Hi Maria,
You are right on target. Assessing the readiness of an employee to take on the new resonsibilities is an important part of the process as well. When a supervisor dumps a task, they give little or no thought to what the employee will gain as a result of completing the task/project. Delegating can be a real win-win situation if done appropriately.
Pat
Dumping is giving an employee a task that you would not even do yourself. This fails to improve employee morale or to challenge them to grow and develop. Delegating, on the other hand, allows you to motivate employees to take on new challenges that will help them improve their skills, as well as open up additional time to dedicate time to other managerial tasks.
The difference between delegating and dumping is that when you delegate, you are giving the person you are delegating to an opportunity to learn something new and also help you so you could consentrate on another prioroty you may have had. Dumping is basically giving the task to someone else without proper training, dumping will delay the task and also you may not be able to complete it correctly.
