Delegating or Dumping
Delegating tasks or assignments is different than dumping in that when we "dump" things on our employees we do bother explaining what we need, what is expected of them, or what the end result should be. In short, we just throw tasks or projects at our employees and expect them to understand what we want, or just "read our mind". Delegating assignments and projects requires explanation, expectations, and clarifications. It also allows feedback from the employees, a time for questions to be answered, and gives everyone involved a sense of organization.
Alexis,
When a task is to be delegated, there should be a benefit to both the manager and the employee. The manager needs to take into consideration the skill sets of the employee to whom the task is being delegated. Will completion of that task by the employee allow them to grow professionally. The dialog that you mention needs to occur as well in order for the employee to gain something as a result of this experience.
When you delegate something to a subordinate it should serve two purposes. The first purpose is that it must lighten your load so you can concentrate on more important issues. Second purpose is that it must help the receiver learn and grow.When you delegate, as opposed to dumping, you give the other person the same authority to complete the task as if you had done it yourself. Dumping is when you just give the assignment or task to your employees.
Miriam,
You did a excellent job of distinguishing between delegating and dumping. The follow up is important as well. Since the person to whom you are delegating is possibly learning new skills, it is also important to touch base periodically to see how the project is going, if he/she has any questions, etc. Ultimately, you are still responsible, so you don't want to just delegate and walk away.
Pat
Dumping is just unloading your responsibility on staff without consideration of the work involved. Delegating on the other hand shows effective managerial skills as you assign the right task to the right person. It allows productivity and builds employee's morale.
Clytie,
You are right on target. As you delegate, it is important to think about the professional development of the individual to whom you are delegating. If done appropriately, that person will gain through professional growth and the supervisor will gain through better use of his/her skills on other tasks. Remember, too, that delegating does not meaning ridding yourself of the responsibility. Ultimately, the responsibility still rests with the supervisor so periodically touching base with the person to whom the task is delegated to assist and guide as needed is important.
Pat
Delegating help managers to be more efficient in the workplace, it also give employees a better sense of worth and cultivates skills in new areas.
Dumping work, you find the jobs that you hate doing, and you dump on.
Susana,
You did a fine job of differentiating between dumping and delegating. Delegating takes some thought where dumping does not. When you delegate, you need to put some thought into the professional development needs of your employees and who might gain professionally from doing the task you are looking to delegate. To delegate does not mean that you hand over a task and think no more about it as you might when you dump. You maintain ultimate responsibility for the successful completion of the task or project and should be available to guide and direct as needed.
Pat
Before ensure that you are delegating and not dumping, you have to ensure that you are serving two purposes...lightening your load to ensure you meet all deadlines for projects and helping your staff to develop. If you follow this with each task, you will ensure that you are delegating and not just dumping.
Bridget,
You understand the difference. The other piece that is important to understand is that even though you delegate a task or a project, you still have ultimate responsibility for its successful completion and for ensuring that the employee does indeed benefit from the experience. Guiding as needed is the supervisor's responsibility.
Pat
Pat
Delegating is dividing your work load among others that are qualified to do the task. Letting you concentrate on the most important things that are required to be done only by you.
Dumping is throwing something at someone without giving instructions as to what needs to be done. Usually something you hate to do.
Marietta
Marietta,
Good response. Delegating needs to be a win-win situation. Not only do you gain a lighter load but your employee also has an opportunity to learn new skills as a result of the task delegated.
Dumping is more one way. Little or no thought is given to the professional growth of the person to whom you are delegating.
The other point that is important to remember is that the person delegating retains the ultimate responsibility for satisfactory completion of the task.
Delegating is dividing your work load among others that are qualified to do the task. Letting you concentrate on the most important things that are required to be done only by you.
Dumping is throwing something at someone without giving instructions as to what needs to be done and just because you dont feel like doing the job.
Delegating involves assigning work duties to help an employee further develop professionally and share in project development.Dumping is giving up your own personal workload onto somone else. Each person has their own individual responsibilities and it would not be fair handing everything over to someone else and obtain credit for it. Teamwork I believe works better.
Hi Diana,
Good distinction between the two. When you delegate you should be thinking about the professional growth opportunity that you are giving the employee. Even though a task or project is delegated, the ultimate responsibility for its successful completion still rests with the supervisor. When you delegate, you still need to do periodic followup to make certain the task is being completed appropriately and to respond to questions the person to whom the task was delegated might have.
Pat
Dolly,
You are right on target when you talk about the professional development of the employee. That is the piece that makes delegating such a viable opportunity. Some people will say that it is just easier to do it myself but then you deprive the employees of an opportunity to develop new skills.
Pat
Pat
Delegating is for me when you give the power or authority to a persona to act in one's place or to complete the task that you do not compliment.Dumping is when you give to someone a job to be done because you hate and do not analize the condition or result because you refusse to do it.
Mercedes,
So often we are reluctant to delegate because it is easier just to do the task ourselves. But if we think about delegating as an opportunity to provide an employee with some professional growth opportunities, it becomes a more palatable option. One important piece of delegating is the fact that as a supervisor, we retain the ultimate responsibility for the task. We also need to periodically check with the employee to make certain that progress is being made and to determine if their are questions.
Pat
Pat
Delagating is giving someone instructions on how to do something and being available to help, if needed. Dumping is throwing something at someone without instructions.
Elsa
Elsa,
You are correct. With dumping, you really give no thought to the professional development needs of the person to whom you are delegating. Dumping is done to serve the supervisor where delegating serves the needs of both parties.
With delegating, the supervisor still maintains ultimate responsibility for the successful completion of the task. Periodic followup is important to ensure the task is being completed successfully and that there are no questions or concerns on the part of the employee.
Pat
