Last updated on Jun 6, 2024

Here's how you can conquer resistance from team members when delegating tasks.

Delegating tasks is an essential component of team management, but it can often be met with resistance from team members. This resistance can stem from a variety of reasons, including uncertainty about new responsibilities, feeling overburdened, or a lack of trust in leadership. To conquer this resistance, you need a strategic approach that not only addresses these concerns but also fosters an environment of collaboration and empowerment. By understanding the root causes of resistance and employing effective communication and support mechanisms, you can transform reluctance into readiness and ensure that your team operates at its full potential.

1 Build Trust

Building trust is the cornerstone of effective delegation. To conquer resistance, demonstrate your faith in your team's abilities by sharing the 'why' behind tasks. This means explaining the significance of each task and how it contributes to the team's goals. Acknowledge their expertise and give them autonomy to approach the task in their own way. Trust is a two-way street; show that you trust your team to handle responsibilities, and they're more likely to trust your judgment in assigning them.

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Oleh Dankevych

Technical SEO & Product Growth, Co-Founder ARI.company | Driving scalable profitability with proven organic traffic strategies
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Trust is key. Share the 'why' behind tasks, acknowledge expertise, and give autonomy. When trust flows both ways, resistance fades.

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Nandini K Gupta
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To build trust and delegate effectively, it’s important to show that we believe in our team’s abilities. Starting by explaining why each task matters and how it helps the team achieve its goals really helps with the trust factor and morale of the team. This also shows that the work they do matters and is meaningful.

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2 Clarify Roles

Resistance often arises from a lack of clarity. Ensure every team member understands their role and the expectations surrounding it. This includes defining the scope of the task, the standards for success, and the timeline for completion. When roles are clear, team members are less likely to feel overwhelmed or step on each other's toes. Clarity reduces ambiguity, which can be a significant source of resistance to taking on new tasks.

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3 Provide Support

Knowing that support is available can significantly reduce resistance to taking on new tasks. Make sure your team knows that you are there to provide guidance and resources. Whether it's training, additional manpower, or simply being available to answer questions, your support is crucial in empowering them to take on new responsibilities with confidence. This also includes being receptive to their feedback and willing to make adjustments if necessary.

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Nandini K Gupta
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Letting the team know they have their team leader’s support can make a big difference when they’re taking on new tasks. Giving them to assurance that the team leader is there to offer guidance and resources, whether that’s through training, extra help, or just being available to answer questions; helps the team a lot and gives them to confidence to take up new tasks fearlessly.

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4 Recognize Effort

Acknowledgement goes a long way in mitigating resistance. Recognize the efforts of your team members publicly and privately. Celebrate milestones and provide positive feedback for jobs well done. This not only boosts morale but also reinforces the value of their work. When team members feel appreciated, they are more likely to embrace new challenges and responsibilities with enthusiasm.

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Nandini K Gupta
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1. Recognising team’s efforts can greatly reduce resistance. 2. Make sure to acknowledge their hard work both publicly and privately. 3. Celebrate milestones and give positive feedback for a job well done. 4. This boosts morale and shows that their work is valued. 5. When team members feel appreciated, they’re more likely to take on new challenges and responsibilities with enthusiasm.

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5 Encourage Feedback

Open lines of communication are vital for overcoming resistance. Encourage your team to provide feedback on the delegation process. This could include their thoughts on the fairness of task distribution, the support they're receiving, or the challenges they're facing. By actively listening and addressing their concerns, you demonstrate that their input is valued and that delegation is a collaborative process.

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6 Adjust Flexibly

Finally, be prepared to adjust your delegation strategy based on the feedback and performance of your team. If certain approaches are met with consistent resistance, consider alternative methods or additional training. Flexibility shows that you prioritize the well-being and efficiency of your team over rigid adherence to a plan. It's a key component in conquering resistance and fostering a dynamic and responsive team environment.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Team Management

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Here's how you can conquer resistance from team members when delegating tasks.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Trust

2 Clarify Roles

3 Provide Support

4 Recognize Effort

5 Encourage Feedback

6 Adjust Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Management

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Here's how you can conquer resistance from team members when delegating tasks.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Trust

2 Clarify Roles

3 Provide Support

4 Recognize Effort

5 Encourage Feedback

6 Adjust Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Management

Rate this article

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