DELEGATE: The One Thing Most People Forget to Say When Delegating

Tip No. 6

If you've ever felt like you're just bad at delegating, this week's tip will make a real difference. One of the most common mistakes people make when handing off a task is leaving out one crucial piece of information: what “done” actually looks like.

It sounds obvious, and it is, once you see it. But it gets missed because most people get tangled up over-explaining the How — the method, the process, the way they'd do it themselves — when what the other person actually needs is a clear picture of the What.

Getting lost in the How is micromanagement and a time-suck. Defining the What frees you to let go — and frees them to figure out how to get there their own way.

THIS WEEK’S DELEGATE TIP:

Before you hand off a task, take two minutes to define what "done" actually looks like.

What's the outcome? Are there any standards it needs to meet? By when? The person you're delegating to can't read your mind — and they can't hit a target they can't see. Give them the bullseye upfront.

This is what makes the difference between handing something off and actually letting it go. When the “done” is clear, you can genuinely step back. When it isn't, you end up hovering or disappointed that what came back doesn't match the picture you never shared. That's not mindful delegation. That's just outsourcing the labor while keeping the mental load.

SIT WITH THIS

If I handed this task off right now, would the other person know exactly what finished looks like or am I holding that picture only in my head?

Describe the finish line. Then let someone else cross it.

🧡 Sondra

This post is from our bi-weekly email series built around three paths to time wealth: Do, Drop, and Delegate. Sharing one small, useful tip at a time.

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