Mastering Delegation: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Assigning the Wrong Task

Are You Assigning the Wrong Tasks to the Right People?

Delegation is a cornerstone of great leadership, yet it's one of the most misunderstood and misapplied skills. Every leader knows they can't do it all, but the challenge lies in how we delegate. Often, in our desire to see things done right, we turn to our best people. We trust them, we know their capabilities, and it seems like the obvious choice. 

But here’s the thing – sometimes, our best person might be the wrong person for the task.

Delegation is more than just passing off work. It’s an opportunity to build your team, to invest in their growth, and to free yourself to focus on what only you can do. When you delegate effectively, you’re not just getting tasks done; you’re developing leaders. Every task is a chance to shape someone’s skills, to stretch their potential, and to prepare them for greater responsibility.

Within your credit union, where every decision carries weight, how you delegate can impact your branch’s success. But let’s be honest – delegation is hard. It requires discernment, and it requires a deep understanding of your people. You must know not just what they can do, but what they should do.

The Trap of Relying on Our Best People

It’s easy to fall into the habit of handing important tasks to your top performers. They’ve proven themselves time and again. They’re reliable, efficient, and capable. But here’s the problem – when you consistently rely on your best people, you risk overloading them. Even more, you might be missing the chance to grow other members of your team.

Imagine this: You’ve got a top member service supervisor who always delivers. But you assign them a task that, while critical, doesn’t play to their strengths or develop their skills in a new direction. They’ll get it done, no doubt. But was that the best use of their time and talent? And what about the new member service representative (MSR) who never got the chance to rise to the occasion?

Delegation isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about effectiveness. The right task to the right person at the right time can transform a team. But when we misplace our trust, even in the most well-meaning way, we can stifle potential and strain our best people.

How to Delegate with Wisdom

Effective delegation begins with knowing your team – not just what they’ve done, but what they’re capable of doing. It’s about seeing beyond the obvious and recognizing the potential in each person. Instead of defaulting to your top performer, ask yourself: “Who needs this challenge? Who has the skills, or the potential to develop the skills, to handle this task?”

Take the time to match tasks with the person who will not only execute them well but who will also grow from the experience. This may mean giving a stretch assignment to someone less experienced or redistributing tasks to prevent burnout in your star players. Remember, your goal is to build a team that gets better with each task.

Delegation is an art, and like any art, it requires practice, patience, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes. As leaders, our challenge is to see beyond the immediate task and to think long-term about the growth of our people and the success of our team. How can your credit union get things done right, by the right people, in the right way?

So, the next time you’re faced with a task to delegate, pause. Consider who really needs that assignment, who will grow from it, and who will execute it with excellence. By doing so, you’re not just delegating, you’re leading.

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