The two words "information" and "communication" are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things.  Information is giving out; communication is getting through.

Are you a Producer?  If you are reading the Performance Report, then you probably are.  Managers or executives have already proven that they are producers.  But if you are a producer who can delegate effectively, then your accomplishments far exceed your efforts, because those you foster will also be producers for you, exponentially increasing your output. 

Most managers may think this obvious; of course you have been delegating tasks for years. 

 

However, let’s focus on effective delegation that focuses on results instead of methods.  This kind of delegation allows people to choose the method of accomplishing the task you have delegated to them, and makes them responsible for the results. 

 

This initially takes more time, but is well worth the investment.  By developing mutual understanding in the following areas, you will be able to foster stewardship delegation versus task delegation. Let’s review those areas:

 

Desired Results—Start by creating a mutual understanding of what needs to be accomplished.  Be clear, and focus on what needs to be accomplished, versus how it is going to happen. 

 

Guidelines—Identify parameters and possible pitfalls; are there mistakes you have made that you can share?  Are there resources that are off limits in this situation?  Share these with your subordinate, so he or she doesn’t waste time and energy going down a “failure” path. 

 

Resources—Identify the human, technical, financial or organizational resources that are available.

 

Accountability—What are the standards of performance?  Don’t leave the set-up meeting without conveying a performance expectation.  

What will bring out the best in your staff?  Fostering trust.  Trust is the highest form of motivation.  This takes time and training, but is well worth the investment. 

 

Stewardship Delegation, as it is called by Stephen Covey, in his landmark classic, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, will ultimately result in much more work getting done. 

 

How can you ensure that your work projects, career goals and personal plans for 2012 will succeed? Make more than one plan, that's how. 

 

Studies show that the use of four or more sources of influence in combination is ten times more likely to succeed than relying on a single source of influence. That being said, are you facing organizational issues or career challenges that seem to hang on, no matter how you try changing the force of inertia? 

 

Change initiatives can be approached in a variety of ways, many of which are valid. The key learning here is to enlist more than one method.  Perhaps you have a lack of accountability, consistently low morale, or a quality issue that seems to be endemic to the organization. Maybe you have been trying to get recognition or a new position, without success. 

 

All of these issues can be most successfully dealt with by offering up more than one solution.
 
Don't know where to look for new potential solutions? You are probably just stuck in a rut. You have been using the same sources for a while; sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Starting today, use a multi-pronged approach to your challenges.

 

Combine the multipronged approach with the following tactics, so you can move to the head of the line:

 

1. Enlist peer pressure and social support as your allies.
2. Change the work environment.
3. Take a cue from your first grade teacher; use rewards and 
    accountability.
4. Build personal motivation in others.