It’s a trap that can cripple your effectiveness as a Manager.

On Friday, I was talking about Kenneth and identifying things that need to be delegated. I introduced three criteria.

• Tasks that are done on a repetitive basis.
• Tasks which are important to the company (aligned with a goal or solving a problem).
• Tasks that you like to do.

David posted a question in response to last Friday’s blog.

So, if it’s a task that you don’t like to do then you shouldn’t delegate it? Am I just confused or does that make no sense? I’d rather have people doing the things that I don’t want to do. That way I can enjoy my job more.

It is not a matter of delegating what you like or don’t like. It’s a trap. Most managers fail because they continue to do the things they like to do rather than do the things connected with management. When I look at your list of things you like to do, often 80 percent will be inappropriate work that should be done by someone else.

Why don’t you delegate it? Because you like to do it. And if you continue doing it, you will become less and less effective as a Manager. -TF