There are many ways to minimize stress. While a relaxing soak in a hot tub may be on the top of your list, the office probably isn’t the right time or place.
So what can you proactively do? Stacey Engle, the VP of Marketing at Fierce, Inc. experts in leadership development and training, have a proven method – effective delegation. Actively practicing, and eventually mastering, delegation techniques can reduce your workplace burdens and reduce stress. As an added bonus, the autonomy and skills your staff gain through delegation will make them more effective and more satisfied in their jobs.
The Magic of Delegation
Effective delegation is critical for confidently unplugging from work and avoiding the negative impacts of 24/7 stress.
At Fierce, we use the analogy of a decision tree to describe effective delegation. It’s a useful way to set basic guidelines. Specifically, someone can be delegated a responsibility at four different levels: root, trunk, branch, and leaf. Each level has a clear definition of what is expected and set guidelines on how to interact with coworkers and managers. For example, a leaf decision doesn’t require any report on the action, but a root decision calls for input from many people.
Developing and implementing a strong delegation model can help you feel confident that tasks can be efficiently and effectively delegated to your team and colleagues. And your staff will have a clear vision for what decisions they can and cannot make on their own. All of these will better empower you to manage your workload in a healthy way.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is currently on my plate that is not the best use of my time?
- Who would benefit learning something that I currently do?
- What skills would I like to gain when looking at others’ responsibilities?
Take Action!
After reflecting on your answers, it is time to take action. Get clear with the people around you. It is necessary for your success… and theirs.
One of my favorite quotes by American author, Annie Dillard, is “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” You are either filling your days with activities that enhance and bring tremendous value to others around you – or not. It is your choice. And you get to choose it every day.
A certain amount of stress is inevitably going to enter our work lives. But use of delegation techniques with the people in your organization you can help minimize that stress and build stronger teams.
Now, it is your turn. And hey, if your effort fails, perhaps a soak in a hot tub will recharge you to try again.
What do you think?
What do you do to bust stress? Are you an effective delegator? Let us know in the comments below.
Would you like to download a free Caldera brochure and learn about how a Caldera Spa can help you bust stress? Click here!
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