“I know I have to actually delegate something to make progress,” Ruben confirmed. “But I get to work, things start happening and before you know it, I am up to my elbows in problems.”
“Tell me what you want to happen,” I prompted.
“It’s not what I want to happen, it’s one thing after another. For example, I can take you through yesterday, minute by minute and you’ll see what I’m up against.”
“I believe you could take me through, minute by minute, but explaining what happens doesn’t change things. Tell me, Ruben, what do you want to happen?”
“I want to be a better delegator.”
“Now, change one element of your thought. Change want to necessary. It is necessary for you to be a better delegator.”
Ruben looked at me with lizard eyes.
“Why is it necessary for you to be a better delegator?” I asked.
“So, I can be more effective?” Ruben floated.
“No, it is necessary, because if you don’t delegate, you can’t play the role. And if you can’t play the role, then we have to find someone who can. That’s why it is necessary for you to become a better delegator.” -TF
Very interesting post.
Nevertheless, according to my experience here in Italy, I think it’s not so easy to move someone from a middle management role once promoted (‘…And if you can’t play the role, then we have to find someone who can…’).
The Peter Principle and the Dilbert Principle are funny and ironic but, sometimes, they are not so far from reality.