Comments on: Delegation is an Amazing Learning Tool

By: Mike King

Mike King — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:44:00 +0000

Karl, I definitely see what you mean now. There is certainly a need to prevent that distancing from occurring and I believe it is very important then with delegation. One reason why delegation is so effective is that its a way to teach something quickly without that person having to suffer the same consequences when it hadn’t gone well in the past. So, passing this on and helping to protect them from that is very important indeed.

Thanks very much for the additional thoughts and explanation, I really appreciate the follow up!

By: Karl Edwards

Karl Edwards — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:38:04 +0000

…keeping in mind that our topic is learning…
Successful learning requires enough safety for people to take risks. If those risks are, in effect, punished by the arrogance of those who have already learned what this person is in the process of learning, then I don’t know how eager they’ll be for the next assignment.

By: Karl Edwards

Karl Edwards — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:19:54 +0000

Mike, thanks for the question about what I call “distancing.”
If you ask someone to do something (delegate), then I feel it is inappropriate and undermining (if not cowardly) to later distance yourself from the results of that person’s efforts, (in the case that those efforts are being attacked or criticized by others.)
I’m not referring to anything unique to delegation. All decisions and work efforts have their detractors, critics, and naysayers. I’m simply trying to point out the importance of standing by those whom you have asked to stick their neck out there for you.
What do you think?

By: Daniel Richard | WE

Daniel Richard | WE — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:41:33 +0000

Delegation is not only a cool way in getting things done, it helps bring out the talent in the people we are working with.

Daniel
http://winningeveryone.com

By: Mike King

Mike King — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:01:16 +0000

Thanks Alik for the comment! My next article in a few days covers specifically how to use delegation and the steps needed to make it effective. I think you will like it as well.

By: Alik | PracticeThis.com

Alik | PracticeThis.com — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:57:30 +0000

I think delegation contributes a lot to building high performing team. Good stuff!

By: Mike King

Mike King — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:35:57 +0000

Thanks Karl. This is a great summary page that does capture the important points of delegation. Thanks for sharing it!

One comment, I was surprised to read the bit on don’t let others talk behind one’s back. Is this something specific in delegation that occurs? I’ve not experienced that one before, can you elaborate?

By: Karl Edwards

Karl Edwards — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:33:56 +0000

May I contribute a one-page tool entitled Delegation that Equips? Delegation that Equips It complements your insights about learning and accountability with a practical structure for enacting learning-based delegation.