Monday Moanin Thoughts #287 Are You Delegating Or Abdicating?

Welcome to the first MMT of February, 2018. I am writing this on a snowy, windy, frigid Super Bowl Sunday in Michigan. Over the past few weeks I have had conversations with many central office and building administrators about several topics including, how can they improve their effectiveness. During one of these discussions I raised the topic of leaders that delegate many responsibilities and decisions to others.  Delegation certainly is a common  leadership strategy that fits with shared decision-making, capacity building, trust, and using your resources well to name a few. Delegating to your team members can also help improve your organizations effectiveness and assist in getting tasks and work done more efficiently. However, delegation without action can hurt your organization and ultimately the work being completed. The challenge for a leader that delegates is, do they stay engaged? Do they check in with staff members for updates?  Are they available to support and assist the team? Will they share in owning the outcome and decision recommended by the team?

Leaders that delegate without the taking into account the above questions are merely abdicating. Successful leaders delegate and stay connected without micro-managing. They stay involved in the process and own it.  During this week,  reflect on the title of MMT #287 above.  How are you leading?

Have a great week and keep finding the good stuff.