Module 2.
2
Importance of Delegation
and Types of Delegation
Learning Goals:
The lesson aims to provide understanding
how leader can delegate and what are the types of
Delegation.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the participants will
able to:
1. Define what is delegation;
2. Enumerate the importance of delegation;
3. List the five characteristics of delegation;
4. List the Elements of delegation; and
5. Discuss the types of delegation.
Delegate / Delegation:
is to assign responsibility and authority to
someone else in order to complete the task at
hand but you retain the overall responsibility for
its success.
Delegate / Delegation:
Delegation of authority is very important
to any organization as it empowers employees
or team members. It is essential in sharing
authority and duty among individuals within an
organization.
Delegate / Delegation:
Without it, it will be difficult to establishing a
formal organization.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Efficiency
Development
Empowerment
Leadership
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Efficiency:
Efficiency arises when
duty is transferred to
people with skills that
match the role.
Let the team members
carry out routine
activities for themselves
while you plan and
strategize for the next
step.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Efficiency:
This will ensure you have
adequate time for
planning, less stress and
improved efficiency
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Development:
Team leaders have skills and abilities that can be
passed down to other team members.
The best way to do this is to teach them the new skills
and then delegate duties to them for them to utilize the
already learnt skills.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Development:
The importance of delegation is in team
development as well; as you can outsource team
development to experienced members of your team
thereby increasing their mentoring skills as well as
decision making.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Empowerment:
to empower is to allow others become experts
at what they do even if they surpass your
ability.
This encourages personal development of
team members leading to the overall team
success.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Leadership:
A good leader does not do, he plans and
coaches.
After coaching, team members will take
roles assigned to them and accomplish with
or without supervision.
When tasks are completed, new tasks can
be taken with maximum confidence.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Leadership:
A good leader must possess the following basic skills for
effective delegation:
Communication: There should be clear articulation of
what needs to be done
Trust: The people to which authority or duty is to be
delegated to should be well trusted
Honesty: You should be open to the team on what you
expect.
Four Importance of Delegation that lead to:
Leadership:
When assessing always seek responses to the following
questions:
What tasks are for delegation?
Who is the most effective person to delegate to?
What expectations do I have for this task?
And after work is completed, what are the available
methods of task evaluation?
Other reasons for the importance of
delegation includes:
Improved decision making
Managers are relieved from heavy workload
Enhances faster decisions
Builds morale and trains subordinates
It creates a formal organizational structure
Before delegating
roles or authority, it
is important to
ensure that the
subordinates
understand their
duties and all the
objectives of the
organization.
Five (5) Characteristics of Delegation
1. Delegation takes place when a manager grants some of
his powers to subordinates.
2. Delegation occurs only when the person delegating the
authority himself has that authority i.e. a manager must
possess what he wants to delegate.
3. Only a part of authority is delegated to subordinates.
Characteristics of Delegation:
4. A manager delegating authority can reduce, enhance or
take it back. He exercises full control over the activities of
the subordinates even after delegation.
5. It is only the authority which is delegated and not the
responsibility. A manager cannot abdicate responsibility by
delegating authority to subordinates.
Elements of Delegation:
Delegation involves following three elements:
1. Assignment of Responsibility:
Duties in terms of functions or tasks to be
performed constitute the basis of delegation process.
Elements of Delegation:
Delegation involves following three elements:
2. Grant of Authority:
The delegator grants authority to the subordinates
so that the assigned task is accomplished.
The subordinate can only accomplish the work
when he has the authority required for completing the task.
3 Elements of Delegation:
3. Creation of Accountability:
Accountability is the obligation of a subordinate to
perform the duties assigned to him.
The delegation creates an obligation on the
subordinate to accomplish the task assigned to him by the
superior.
When a work is assigned and authority is delegated
then the accountability is the by-product of this process.
The authority is transferred so that a particular work
is completed as desired.
Types of Delegation
General or Specific Delegation
Formal or Informal Delegation
Lateral Delegation
Reserved Authority and Delegated
Authority
Pre-Requisites for Delegation
Willingness to Delegate
Climate of Trust and Confidence
Faith in Subordinates
Fear of Supervisors
Types of Delegation
General or Specific Delegation
Authority is given to perform general
managerial functions like planning, organizing,
directing etc.
The subordinate managers perform
these functions and enjoy the authority
required to carry out these responsibilities.
Types of Delegation
Formal or Informal Delegation
Formal delegation of authority is the part of
organizational structure.
This type of delegation is part of the normal
functioning of the organization.
Every person is automatically given authority as
per his duties.
Types of Delegation
Lateral Delegation
A person is delegated an authority to
accomplish a task, he may need the assistance
of a number of persons.
When the authority is delegated informally it is
called lateral delegation.
Types of Delegation
Reserved Authority and Delegated Authority:
A delegator may not like to delegate every authority
to the subordinates.
The authority which he keeps with him is called
reserved authority and the authority which is assigned
to the subordinates is delegated authority.
Types of Delegation
Willingness to Delegate:
First prerequisite to delegation is the
willingness of the superior to part with his
authority.
Unless the superior is psychologically
prepared to leave his authority, delegation will
not be effective.
Types of Delegation
Willingness to Delegate:
First prerequisite to delegation is the
willingness of the superior to part with his
authority.
Unless the superior is psychologically
prepared to leave his authority, delegation will
not be effective.
Types of Delegation
Climate of Trust and Confidence:
There should be a climate of trust and
confidence among superiors and subordinates.
The subordinates should be given enough
opportunities or real job situations where they
use their talent and experience.
In case they make some mistakes then
superiors should guide and correct them.
Types of Delegation
Faith in Subordinates:
Sometimes the superiors do not delegate authority with
the fear that subordinates will not be able to handle the
job independently.
They are not confident of the qualities of subordinates
and do not want to take risks.
They should have faith in their subordinates and should
rather help them in learning the job properly.
The climate of faith will help the subordinates to learn
the things faster and take up more responsibilities.
Types of Delegation
Fear of Supervisors:
This is a case of inferiority complex. Often a fear
among superiors that their subordinates may not
over take them
The superiors may give many logics for
delegating authority but this fear is one of the
important causes.
The superiors should avoid this type of thinking
and have positive attitude towards subordinates.
Feedback:
1. What is Delegation?
2. Enumerate Four importance of Delegation.
3. What are the Basic Skills of a Leader to become
effective in delegation his/her duties?
4. State the Five Characteristics of Delegation.
5. Recite at least 7 out of 9 Types of Delegation.
Any Question?
