Delegating work is one of the most important managerial skills. When assigning tasks to subordinates, however, it is necessary to find a balance between two long standing opposites, namely providing too much freedom on the one hand and excessive micromanagement on the other. Every good manager knows that if employees are to achieve the best possible results, they need a certain degree of autonomy. But how can you grant them freedom and initiative while still maintaining control over what is happening in the team and how work is progressing? Here are four tips on how to achieve this.
Clear strategy
According to Harvard Business Review, your first step should be to clearly and openly communicate the strategy to the entire team. Employees may work independently, but they also need to understand the broader context of their work. Define priorities, direction, vision, and the rules by which the team and the entire company operate, so that everyone knows where their efforts fit in.
Clearly defined boundaries
Providing space for initiative also means precisely defining its framework. The areas in which team members have freedom must have clearly defined boundaries. Subordinates should know exactly what authority they have and where the responsibility of someone else begins.
A shared goal for the entire team
Effective cooperation is not possible without a shared vision. The team needs a clear goal toward which everyone is heading. For such a vision to truly function as a unifying element, it must be concrete, measurable, and defined by clear parameters.
Clearly defined roles
A functioning team is built on clearly established rules, including the division of roles, responsibilities, and authority. Everyone must know what they are responsible for, what their role is, and what is expected of them. Only then can a team work in a coordinated and effective manner even with a higher degree of autonomy.
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