Delegation is a critical skill for any leader, yet many find it incredibly challenging. In this post, I will explore the three primary reasons why delegation is so hard and offer some insights on how to overcome these obstacles.

Lack of Time

One of the most common reasons leaders avoid delegation is the perceived lack of time. Many think, "It's faster to do it myself." While this might be true the first time, it's important to remember that delegation is an investment. Teaching someone else to handle a task may take more time initially, but it pays off in the long run. Think of it as an investment in both the task and the person you're delegating to.

Lack of Trust

Trust is another significant barrier to effective delegation. Leaders often hesitate to delegate because they fear the task won't be done correctly. If you find yourself saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," it's time to reassess. Remember, someone taught you at some point, and you can do the same for others. Building trust takes time and practice, but it's essential for your team's growth and your sanity.

Lack of Resolve

The third reason is a lack of resolve. Delegation requires perseverance. You might have tried to delegate before and found it didn't work as expected. This doesn't mean you should give up. Like any skill, delegation improves with practice. Keep trying, be patient, and stay committed. The payoff will be worth it.

Delegation isn't easy, but it's a crucial skill for effective leadership. By recognizing and addressing these three common challenges—lack of time, trust, and resolve—you can become a more effective delegator and leader.

Follow The Remarkable Leadership Podcast

In This Episode...

Don't Miss a Single Episode!

Sign up to receive an email update each week when we release a new episode of Remarkable TV!

Join Our Community

If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below.

Leave a Review

If you liked this episode, we’d be thrilled if you’d let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here’s a quick guide for posting a review.

Want more articles like this?

Subscribe to any of our e-newsletters to get them delivered directly to your inbox.

Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}