As part of the partnership review process with my client Don, I just reviewed his 360 degree feedback with him. To put it mildly, Don needs to delegate more and delegate better. Don is a senior leader and here are some of the ways that improved delegation would be beneficial to his law firm and to him:

• Don is a champion at getting new business. If he delegated more, he would be able to concentrate on business development. This would likely double or even triple the business coming into the firm.

• If Don leaves or gets sick, the firm will actually be in peril. The organization is truly too dependent on him. While his ego may like this dependency, the security of the entire firm depends on others knowing how to do the work and do it well.

• Don’s micromanaging is limiting for the people who work there. They feel that they need to leave in order to progress in their field. When employees feel like they can no longer grow, they eventually find other jobs.

• Don is squelching new ideas that would otherwise enhance the business.

• Don complains often that he is overworked and he sighs a lot, which impacts the morale of those around him.  

If you have been told that you are a micromanager or that you need to delegate more, here’s what you can do:

• Create a development plan for the people on your team. Include completion of a specific project, from beginning to end, on the plan.

• Take vacations and unplug completely. Allow other employees to complete the work without your input. Force yourself to trust others.

• Work with a coach to understand your own motivations related to work.

• Read What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith.

Do you have other ideas that have worked well in your organization?