What do you do if delegated tasks are not progressing as expected?
When you delegate a task, you're entrusting someone else with a piece of your workload, expecting it to be completed efficiently and effectively. But what happens when those tasks don't progress as expected? It can be a stressful situation, but as a leader, your response to these setbacks can make a significant difference. In the following sections, you'll find strategies to address the issue without micromanaging or causing undue stress, ensuring your team remains on track and empowered.
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Helen HonisettMaking leading effortless | Love Leader and passionate about creating great leaders
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Rahul Saluja🚀 Board Member I Life Sciences Executive I RWD I Driving Revenue Growth 🚀
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George PsomakakisExperienced General Manager ✔ Executive Director ✔ Executive Consultant │ Cross-Functional Team Leader │ Peak Performer
Before jumping to conclusions, take the time to assess the situation. Reach out to the individual or team responsible for the task and request a status update. This initial step helps you understand the root cause of the delay without making assumptions. Listen actively to their explanation; it could be a lack of resources, unclear instructions, or unforeseen obstacles. Understanding the context is crucial for finding a constructive solution rather than simply applying pressure.
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Rahul Saluja
🚀 Board Member I Life Sciences Executive I RWD I Driving Revenue Growth 🚀
Absolutely, assessing the situation thoroughly before reacting is essential. By reaching out for a status update and actively listening to explanations, you gain a clearer understanding of any challenges faced. This approach helps avoid assumptions and allows for addressing the actual issues, whether they involve resource constraints, clarity of instructions, or unexpected complications. Understanding the full context not only aids in problem-solving but also fosters a supportive work environment. This method is more about collaboration and support than merely pushing for results.
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Shrihari Suresh
Man. of Culture @ Kissflow | Strategic HR Leader | LinkedIn Top Voice '24
Delegation is a powerful tool, but it requires attentive guidance. Here's how I handle stalled tasks: Check-in, Not Micromanage: Open communication is key. Schedule a quick touchpoint to understand roadblocks and offer support. Reassess & Refocus: Did priorities shift? Are resources adequate? Collaboratively adjust the plan if needed. Empower, Don't Take Over: Offer guidance and resources, but avoid reclaiming the task. Trust fosters ownership and future success. By prioritizing clear communication and support, you can get delegated tasks back on track and empower your team.
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Xuejun Wang
Director Consulting Services @ Counterpoint | Data-Driven Research
Be consistent with your working style, honesty is always the best approach, if you don't like the progress of a delegated task, reach out to ask if he/she needs your help to do the task faster. However, a positive attitude is always better than a negative one.
If a task isn't progressing as expected, it might be due to misaligned expectations. Revisit the initial instructions and goals set for the task. Ensure that the person responsible for the task fully understands what is expected of them. Clarifying objectives, deadlines, and deliverables can often put a stalled task back on course. Remember, clear communication is key to successful delegation, and sometimes a simple conversation can rectify misunderstandings.
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Helen Honisett
Making leading effortless | Love Leader and passionate about creating great leaders
Do you know the acronym SMART? Yes, of course, you do - we all know it and we use it once or twice a year through official appraisals. But I know it is the most underused framework we all know. Most leaders don't delegate SMARTly - we ask without all the details or needs expressed - this is partly human nature - none of us are taught at a young age to communicate possible - Marshall Rosenberg knew this (check out his work if you want to be a great communicator). So don't beat yourself up but go back and redelegate your needs using SMART and see what happens and if in doubt shut up and listen.
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George Psomakakis
Experienced General Manager ✔ Executive Director ✔ Executive Consultant │ Cross-Functional Team Leader │ Peak Performer
1. Understand the problems of delegation. Recognize that delegation involves assigning tasks or responsibilities to others while still monitoring and supporting their performance. Common problems include unrealistic expectations, lack of clarity, and insufficient follow-up. 2. Prioritize responsibilities. Consider the goals of your business and team. Take an inventory of key responsibilities, tasks, projects, expectations, and commitments. Determine which responsibilities you must complete on your own and which can be shared or fully delegated.
Discovering that a task is behind schedule may indicate that your team needs additional support. Rather than expressing disappointment, offer assistance. This could involve providing additional resources, training, or even redistributing workloads to alleviate pressure. Your role as a leader includes facilitating your team's success, and sometimes that means stepping in to help overcome challenges.
Flexibility can be a valuable asset when dealing with delays. If a task is lagging, assess whether the timeline can be adjusted without compromising critical deadlines. By showing a willingness to re-evaluate due dates, you demonstrate understanding and adaptability—qualities that can encourage your team to communicate more openly about challenges they're facing.
Once you've addressed the immediate concerns, establish a system for monitoring progress. This doesn't mean micromanaging—instead, set up regular check-ins or progress reports that allow you to stay informed about the task's advancement. This approach not only keeps the task on your radar but also holds the delegatee accountable in a structured, supportive way.
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George Psomakakis
Experienced General Manager ✔ Executive Director ✔ Executive Consultant │ Cross-Functional Team Leader │ Peak Performer
Regular follow-up. Monitor progress without micromanaging. Check-in regularly to track how the task is progressing. Provide feedback and support as needed.
Finally, reinforce the importance of ownership in delegated tasks. Encourage your team members to take full responsibility for their assignments, including problem-solving when things don't go as planned. Empowering your team to handle their own challenges can build confidence and improve their ability to manage tasks independently in the future.
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George Psomakakis
Experienced General Manager ✔ Executive Director ✔ Executive Consultant │ Cross-Functional Team Leader │ Peak Performer
Remember that perfection isn’t always achievable when delegating tasks. Factors like time and resources can impact outcomes. Focus on effective communication, trust, and continuous improvement to overcome delegation challenges and achieve better results.
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Chris March
Top Voice on Leadership & Coaching | Top Leadership Coach '23 | Speaker | Follow For Posts About Leadership & Personal Growth
If delegated tasks are not progressing as expected, assessing the issue promptly and constructively is essential. Here's what you can do: Diagnose: Find out why the task is delayed. Discuss: Talk to the assignee for insights and offer help. Adjust Goals: Modify deadlines if needed. Provide Tools: Supply necessary resources. Educate: Offer training for skill gaps. Check-In: Regularly monitor task progress. Ensure Responsibility: Clarify roles and deadlines. Stay Encouraging: Maintain a positive atmosphere. Quick action and clear communication can help get tasks back on track.
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George Psomakakis
Experienced General Manager ✔ Executive Director ✔ Executive Consultant │ Cross-Functional Team Leader │ Peak Performer
1. Effective communication. Clearly communicate the task’s purpose, expectations, and desired outcomes to the person you’re delegating to. Provide detailed instructions and answer any questions they may have. Be open to different approaches and recognize that they may not complete the assignment exactly as you would. 2. Trust and confidence. Trust your team members’ skills and experience. Understand that mistakes may happen during the learning process. Invest time and trust now to build a knowledgeable and skilled team in the long run.
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