What do you do if you want to advance your healthcare career by improving your delegation skills?

Most everyone knows that good delegation skills are an important component to leadership. This is especially true in healthcare where the collective team is greater than the sum of its members. The challenge is in properly delegating which can be difficult. Delegate too much and you abuse your team, reduce quality and lose respect as a leader. Let's be honest, it's lazy and nobody wants to follow a lazy leader. Delegate too little and you waste the talent of others and limit your team. Every leader should evaluate the aspects of the workplace and determine which roles are 1. mostly/only mine 2. cooperation with others 3. mostly/only others. For #1 lead by example. For #2 Cooperate and listen. For #3 Trust and guide.

The first major thing to consider while evaluating scope for delegation, is to do a self-assessment/ self SWOT analysis, and then matching it with the degree of significance for each of the tasks. A simple 2x2 grid might also help in such decision-making.

I always start by assessing the skills of my team members before delegating tasks. This helps me identify their strengths and areas for improvement. For example, when delegating a PCR assay, I ensure that the team member is proficient in molecular techniques and understands the nuances of PCR amplification.

From what I have learned in my career, setting clear expectations is crucial when delegating tasks. I always define the expectations for each task, including deadlines, quality standards, and reporting mechanisms. For instance, when delegating a sample preparation procedure, I specify the required accuracy and timelines for completion.

Some of my best practices, when it comes to fostering autonomy, involve empowering team members to make decisions within their delegated tasks. I provide guidance and resources but allow them the freedom to solve problems independently. For example, when delegating data analysis, I encourage the team member to explore different analytical approaches on their own.

Based on my own experience, I emphasize the importance of monitoring progress regularly when delegating tasks. I use tools like progress trackers or check-in meetings to ensure everything is on track. For instance, when delegating a cell culture experiment, I schedule regular check-ins to review cell viability and growth rates.

From what I have learned in my career, encouraging feedback is key to improving the delegation process. I create an environment where team members feel comfortable providing input and suggestions for improvement. For example, after delegating a literature review task, I ask the team member for feedback on the sources they found and any challenges they faced.

Based on my own experience, I always take time to reflect on the delegation process and adapt my approach accordingly. I identify what worked well and areas that could be improved, using feedback to streamline future delegation tasks. For instance, after delegating a validation study, I reflect on the timeline and resources allocated to see how I can improve efficiency for future projects.

It is also helpful to have the team reflect on how they handle the responsibilities and how you did as the leader. You want to learn about their experiences in comparison to your experience. You'll learn not only about yourself but how others perceive your leadership. This will expose any blindspots you might have.