Clytie,
You are right on target. As you delegate, it is important to think about the professional development of the individual to whom you are delegating. If done appropriately, that person will gain through professional growth and the supervisor will gain through better use of his/her skills on other tasks. Remember, too, that delegating does not meaning ridding yourself of the responsibility. Ultimately, the responsibility still rests with the supervisor so periodically touching base with the person to whom the task is delegated to assist and guide as needed is important.
Pat
Dumping is just unloading your responsibility on staff without consideration of the work involved. Delegating on the other hand shows effective managerial skills as you assign the right task to the right person. It allows productivity and builds employee's morale.
Miriam,
You did a excellent job of distinguishing between delegating and dumping. The follow up is important as well. Since the person to whom you are delegating is possibly learning new skills, it is also important to touch base periodically to see how the project is going, if he/she has any questions, etc. Ultimately, you are still responsible, so you don't want to just delegate and walk away.
Pat
When you delegate something to a subordinate it should serve two purposes. The first purpose is that it must lighten your load so you can concentrate on more important issues. Second purpose is that it must help the receiver learn and grow.When you delegate, as opposed to dumping, you give the other person the same authority to complete the task as if you had done it yourself. Dumping is when you just give the assignment or task to your employees.
Alexis,
When a task is to be delegated, there should be a benefit to both the manager and the employee. The manager needs to take into consideration the skill sets of the employee to whom the task is being delegated. Will completion of that task by the employee allow them to grow professionally. The dialog that you mention needs to occur as well in order for the employee to gain something as a result of this experience.
