As an extreme control freak, it's always been hard for me to delegate anything. Especially now that I have a position in my sorority, people are always asking me -- why don't you assign that task to someone in your committee? It's a simple, but also very complicated answer.
Naturally, I'm someone who is incredibly anal about timing and small details, and it's very hard for me to put the smallest tasks into others hands. On the other hand, I also find it scary to "tell" others what to do. I hate feeling bossy, and I especially hate nagging others. These are my down falls as a leader.
The problem is, if you don't learn to delegate, you're going to burn out fast. You'll quickly become tired and unmotivated in your position of power. Trust me...I've been there, and done that.
That's why it is incredibly important to learn these three key steps to delegation:
1. Appoint good assistants.
If you want any organization, club, or department to run smoothly, you have to have good people under you. Appoint people you get along with, but don't necessarily be so quick to appoint your best friends. Have people that you can text in the middle of the night with questions who won't get angry. Find those that share the same passions you do in regard to whatever it is you all are leading.
2. Trust the little people.
Even the smallest positions hold importance to any group or organization running smoothly. You never know how important the small tasks are until they don't get completed. However, if you've appointed small positions, trust them with their job and don't assume all of their tasks just because they seem small and easy.
3. Know your responsibilities.
Finally, you have to know what your jurisdiction is, and what it is not. Don't over step your boundaries. You must be willing to help, but also willing to turn away and say, "that is your task to handle." Most often, your department's members know their tasks and what they are responsible for, your job is to oversee, not overtake those responsibilities.
These three steps seem simple, but many of us control-freak style leaders find it hard to put them in practice. Trust me, it will save you stress, and more importantly, your position.
