Accountability Depends on Effective Delegation: Seven Simple Strategies

Much of the work I do involves coaching leaders to hold themselves and others accountable. Experience dictates that your team can only show accountability and deliver on expectations if your expectations are clear and measurable, if you have delegated well.

How many times have you delegated something to someone without a deadline, without a defined result and/or sometimes without all the relevant information and been disappointed, frustrated, annoyed with the results?    We’re all guilty at times, some of us more often than others.

There are seven simple secrets to ensure you achieve the results you are looking for:

1.  Ensure your expectations are clear.  Can they answer these questions:

a.  What problem are you trying to resolve?

b.   What is the desired result? 

c.   How will you measure that result? 

d.  Is there a deadline/timeline? 

e.  What will the reporting look like; possibly a weekly meeting, a morning huddle, sometimes a written report?

2.  Provide all the information. Ask yourself:

a.  Have you provided all the relevant background information needed to achieve that result? 

b.  Have you asked questions to ensure understanding? 

c.   Have you invited questions from your team?

3.  Step back and let them do what you have asked of them, but stepping back does not mean letting go. You are still ultimately responsible for the results.

a.  Have you been clear about when you will check-in with them?

b.  Is there some written reporting required?  Have you provided a template for that reporting to ensure consistency?

c.   Have you asked how you can best support them?

4.  Remember your accountability as a leader is to coach and mentor those who report directly to you. 

a.  Are you modelling the way?

b.  Are you mentoring and coaching at the right time? A coach invites others to think through their own problems/issues to find the results.   It works well when the individual has the experience and or skill to work through to a solution if prompted with the right questions. A mentor provides the solutions based on his/her experience; effective if it is a ‘new’ situation or new employee.   Are you using the right tool at the right time?

5.  Delegation is an effective tool for developing others for advancement and preparing them for leadership roles in the future.

a.  Consider the areas where they need to grow and delegate to nurture those skills consistently and systematically. 

b.  Know and accept they will make mistakes along the way; your role is to be there to ensure their success.

6.  Let others own their accountability. There is a tendency for leaders to go around direct reports and take over when they aren’t getting the results they want.

a.  When you do this, you have just shirked your own accountability to coach and mentor, and robbed your managers/team of their accountability at the same time.  

b.  How can you let them own their accountability and mentor or coach your leaders to find their own solutions and achieve the results you are both looking for?

7.  Check on progress. Let the employee do the work, but check in periodically on progress.

a.  Don’t look over employees’ shoulders or watch their every move but ensure you are checking in to see if the work is being done – weekly, bi-weekly, etc...

b.  When you outline the expectations in the beginning, make sure you build in checkpoints for follow-up.

c.   Acknowledge actions and results along the way.

The Challenge: Practice these seven simple strategies to support effective delegation, to ensure you are holding yourself accountable to holding others accountable for their actions.    Reflect on your current strengths and identify where you need to raise the bar; practice accountability by design.

Linda Maul, Accountability by Design Inc.

780.668.9481 [email protected]

Linda is a Professional Certified Coach with over twenty years of professional leadership development, ten years of executive coaching, and co-author of two books. Her coaching practice includes a diverse group of senior leaders who are hungry to grow. If you have not experienced coaching, book Linda today for a complimentary session….you are one click away! Or call Linda at 780.668.9481.