Are you feeling overwhelmed at work? Is your to-do list too long and impossible to achieve? What items can you offload to others?
A common theme in my coaching this week is overwhelm. My clients are struggling to juggle the demands of work with the demands of homelife. As a single mom building a business, I know how this feels. Cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring kids around town, and coaching all day sometimes takes more energy than I have to give.
In the tech industry, long hours and tight deadlines are the norm. Delegation isn’t just a skill. It’s a strategic necessity. It’s about efficiently distributing tasks, leveraging diverse strengths, and fostering a collaborative environment. Mastering delegation is not just about personal success but also contributing to a more inclusive and innovative workplace.
How can you delegate better at work?
- Know your team: understand the strengths, skills, and interests of your team. Identify each member’s unique abilities, and delegate tasks accordingly. This not only ensures efficiency but also provides opportunities for professional growth.
- Communication is key: clearly communicate expectations, deadlines, and the importance of each task. Transparent communication ensures everyone is on the same page, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and promoting a culture of accountability.
- Prioritize: prioritize tasks based on urgency, complexity, and the skills required. This approach ensures that everyone is working on projects aligned with their strengths and the overall goals of the team.
- Feedback loop: establish a feedback loop to ensure continuous improvement. Check in with your team regularly, provide constructive feedback, and be open to receiving feedback as well. This not only strengthens the delegation process but also fosters a culture of collaboration and growth.
One of my clients, a VP Design, has been in survival mode for a long time. She often works weekends. After our last session, she asked her team to put in more hours to meet a tight deadline. It was hard for her to make this ask, but it gave her more breathing room to spend her weekend with her family.
Mothers in tech are spread especially thin. After a long day at the office, they come home to their second (and often more demanding) shift – caring for their children.
How can you delegate more at home?
- Think of your family as a team: treat your family as a team, just like your work team. Clearly define roles and responsibilities, considering the strengths and interests of each family member. This not only lightens your load but also teaches valuable lessons in teamwork to everyone involved. For example, my ten-year-old daughter makes all the birthday cards. She loves doing art. Delegating this task to her saves me time and money.
- Outsource and automate: use grocery shopping apps, or food prep services. Hire cleaners and childcare support.
- Self-care matters: delegating isn’t just about tasks. It’s also about ensuring your well-being. Don’t hesitate to delegate personal tasks or seek support when needed. Recognize that self-care is essential for both personal and professional success.
By delegating more, you will have more energy to say “yes” to the things that really matter. Put your own oxygen mask on first, so that you can show up the best at work and at home.
What’s holding your confidence back the most? Book your free Confidence Booster session here to find out: https://calendly.com/annagradiecoaching/45min
Lots of love,
-Anna
