Take Some Dance Lessons – Effective Delegation Part V

By Action Coach Dave Beam

I love this analogy because it captures so many principles of effective delegation.  To create effective results in relationships, start dancing and quit wrestling!

Many business owners and managers struggle and strain with delegation.  They have the mindset that to be effective, you have to overpower your employees and force them into submission.  It is literally a wrestling match and the starting bell rings at the beginning of each shift or day.  It is a contest of will and strategy.  Sometimes your “best” employee is the strongest, the most talented, and the most self willed.  You feel like if you let up for a moment, “they” will gain the advantage.  Or you just “give in” and let them “have their way”.

Enough is enough!  Who has the energy or the desire to run their business or department like a military camp?  There is a better and more effective way to manage, and it follows the analogy of dancing vs. wrestling.

Dancing requires cooperation, creativity, a healthy relationship, clearly defined steps, someone to lead, and a common plan.  It also only works when the two people involved are open and honest and communicate.  For those who like to dance, it is an enjoyable, artistic, energizing experience.

So here are some practical actions to take if you want to manage in a kinder, gentler, and in my opinion, more effective way.

#1  Take the lead

Not with the attitude of domination, but providing direction and confidence.  Someone needs to be the leader, and that someone by definition is the owner or manager.

#2  Meet at a regular scheduled time one-on-one with a written agenda

The purpose of this meeting is to come to an agreement on a clear action plan focused around a set of common goals and/or desired outcomes.  You also need to listen carefully and ask great questions so that you can provide your employee with everything they need to be successful.  This regular meeting MUST be a priority in your schedule.  This demonstrates your commitment to your employee and that you consider their performance and success to be a top priority.

#3  Write down your agreements

 Written agreements help remove ambiguity and provide clarity and clear accountability. They also provide a future point of reference for your employee to work from throughout the week.

#4  Attack problems and not people, and speak the truth in kindness.

Always speak respectfully with a listening ear.  Do not avoid confrontation and problems, but be solution oriented.  Take full responsibility for your actions and commitments, and require the same from your employees.

#5  Celebrate and enjoy success

Make the primary focus of your meeting and accountability the celebration of progress and accomplishment.  The main function of meeting is (in the words of Ken Blanchard, author of One Minute Manager) catching people doing things right.