You run a successful home-building firm, but what happens when you’re away? These strategies will keep you focused on growing your business while giving everyday tasks to employees you trust
There comes a point in the life of a business when the leader must step aside, even for short periods, and let others take charge. It’s true that a business that can function with or without its head will be most successful. Why? Because one person can’t do everything. Only with a hardworking team can the founder’s vision is met, and the business continues to grow.
Consider these strategies to perfect the art of delegation in your business.
Empower your team
It’s important to understand that delegating doesn’t mean becoming an overbearing manager. When you give your team additional responsibilities and tasks, it’s crucial to trust them to perform these actions independently. Without your trust, they won’t be able to find their own voice and creativity.
Empower your employees to make decisions for the company. Ask them for feedback about what’s working and what isn’t. Instead of speaking for them in meetings, encourage them to speak up and offer their opinions. This approach will motivate the team and keep them passionate about what they’re doing.
Behind a good leader is a team of talented individuals who feel they have a voice and an impact on the business. Otherwise, employees may not feel comfortable being honest with you or other team members, and resentment can easily build.
The micromanager balancing act
Once tasks are delegated, it can be easy for a manager to overstep and become controlling. A successful business is hard-won, and it’s difficult to put it in the hands of others once you’ve built it. It’s therefore easy to think that you know best.
But this line of thinking creates micromanagers. These managers can’t let go of tasks because they think they can do them better than anyone else – or because they’re afraid to be upstaged by someone doing them better. Not only will this give you too much power, but it can also create dependency in your employees. They’ll look to you to make every decision, and they won’t be able to run operations when you’re gone.
The first step to avoid micromanaging is understanding how easy it is to do. Make a conscious effort to approach delegation with a giving, trusting attitude. Don’t be someone who stands over an employee’s shoulder to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Create a team that shares your vision
You’ve built your business up for years, and it’s no easy task to let it go and trust others to continue what you’ve worked for. This is why it’s especially important to hire employees who are aligned with your vision and mission for the business. While suggestions and constructive criticism should be welcome, employees should still be aligned overall on what they’re working toward.
Set an example of good management
Mastering the art of delegation means you must set a good example for your team to follow. Setting a positive example means taking great care to exhibit integrity and honesty. Admit your mistakes when you make them, so the team feels comfortable coming to you with problems or errors. Foster the attitude that mistakes happen, and all you can do is learn from them and move on.
If your team members don’t speak up in meetings, are afraid to admit their mistakes, aren’t engaged in their work, or have a negative attitude every day, re-evaluate the example you’re setting. It could be you, not them.
Make way for others to lead
You’ll never know how your team will perform without you if you never give them a chance. Perhaps you could send someone else to a client meeting next time instead of going yourself. Or, take time off work and see how your employees can handle a crisis without you. Chances are, if you step aside and give people opportunities to lead, they’ll pull through and surprise you.
Delegation allows you to focus on growing your construction business, putting many management tasks in the hands of your employees. Effective delegation means that your team feels empowered, that you’re not watching their every move ready to criticize or correct, that everyone is aligned toward the same end goal, and that you’re actively setting a good example as a leader.
Once you’re able to put tasks in the hands of others and focus on growing and improving your business, you’ve mastered the art of delegation.
No Boundaries Advisors can take on some of your workloads so you can spend your time on important aspects of your construction business. To learn about our profitability consulting or business planning services, get in touch with us today.
