Delegation
From WikiTextbook
Delegation is the passing of authority down the hierarchy, i.e., workers are trusted with tasks by their managers. If a worker has a job delegated they have an obligation to complete a task effectively.
Delegation can only work if there is trust between the manager and worker, and if the boss is willing to handover control. The manager must trust their workers to carry out the task effectively. The worker must be sure that the boss isn’t just passing on boring or impossible tasks.
There are a number of advantages of delegation:
- It frees up management time.
- Workers will feel that they are more valued by the business if they are given the responsibility to make decisions.
- Making decisions is good management training for the workers.
Despite these advantages there are advantages of the manger keeping control and not delegating tasks:
- Decisions are made by experienced workers who have a better knowledge of the business and market.
- It ensures that decisions are the same throughout the business.
- Managers are able to make decisions more quickly than if they had to consult others
- In times of crisis the manager is able to provide the business with strong leadership.
It is the manager’s responsibility to define clearly to the limits of the authority delegated and to ensure that the subordinate always has sufficient power to back up that authority and it competent to use it. Nevertheless, the manager remains responsible for the decision made by the subordinate and there is therefore a constant temptation to interfere and check on the performance of the subordinate (if this taken too far you will lose all of the advantages).
