“It’s faster if I just do it myself,” I thought rationalizing that, by the time I sat someone else down and taught them step-by-step how to do this, I could have that task and many others completed. Not making the time to delegate is a misstep on the path to developing as a leader and one that I still find myself struggling with. Learning to delegate effectively is a skill that can propel your business forward but is also something that many of us could improve upon. Looking back in my career I wonder how much farther I could have grown the companies I worked for if I had dropped this bad habit.

The perception that there isn’t enough time is a common reason why people fail to delegate. Wanting to retain control, thinking your way is the best way, and believing that if others help with the work we won’t be viewed as the hardest worker in the land are others.

Delegating is a key aspect to effective leadership and in this dynamic and fast-paced world of real estate that we operate in, learning to work together and run a team is a move that can propel an organization to new heights. It’s not just about lightening the workload, it’s ensuring that each person is operating at their highest and best use of their knowledge and skill set.

As a leader in real estate you can wear an enormous amount of hats: marketing, sales, finance, recruiting, admin, lead generation, customer service…and that’s not even including production! Strengthening your delegation muscles will allow you to not only grow your organization, but work in such a way that your people can not only help more clients each and every year, they will gain that ever-elusive life-work balance by having everyone responsible for their set area of focus.

Here are some tips to help you delegate more effectively:

❤️ Know Your Team
Understand the strengths, skills, and preferences of each member of your team. Tailor your delegation based on individual capabilities to ensure the tasks align with their expertise. This not only enhances efficiency but also boosts team morale as members feel valued for their unique contributions.

🗣️Clearly Define Responsibilities
Provide clear and specific instructions when assigning tasks. Clearly articulate the goals, expectations, and deadlines associated with each delegated responsibility. This helps eliminate ambiguity and ensures that your team members have a solid understanding of their roles and a clear path to success

📐Set Realistic Expectations
Be mindful of the workload you delegate to avoid overwhelming your team members. Set realistic expectations considering their existing commitments and capabilities. This prevents burnout and maintains a healthy life-work balance within the team.

🙋Encourage Open Communication
Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing concerns or seeking clarification. Effective delegation involves a two-way communication channel, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Encourage questions and provide constructive feedback to enhance understanding.

📚Provide Adequate Resources
Ensure that the team has the necessary resources, tools, and information to complete delegated tasks successfully. Lack of resources can hinder progress and lead to frustration. Empower your team by removing obstacles and facilitating their success.

👔 Delegate Authority, Not Just Tasks
Empower team members by delegating not only tasks but also the authority to make decisions within their assigned responsibilities. This cultivates a sense of ownership and accountability, motivating individuals to take initiative and demonstrate leadership in their roles. If you can’t trust the person to make the right decision on their own, then find someone else or retain that responsibility until you have someone who can. Consistently overruling someone’s decisions that they were tasked with can be demoralizing for the people you depend on.

☎️ Follow Up Regularly
Schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide support, and address any challenges or questions. Effective delegation involves ongoing communication to ensure the team remains aligned with goals and timelines. Adjustments can be made if needed, preventing potential issues from escalating.

👩‍🏫 Provide Training and Development Opportunities
Invest in the professional growth of your team members by offering training opportunities related to their delegated responsibilities. This not only enhances their skills but also increases their confidence and effectiveness in handling delegated tasks.

🏆 Acknowledge and Reward Success
Recognize and celebrate the achievements of your team members. Positive reinforcement boosts morale and encourages a culture of excellence. Acknowledge the contributions of individuals who have completed delegated tasks, fostering a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

🧘‍♀️Learn from Experience
Assess what worked well and identify areas for improvement and act accordingly. This ongoing self-evaluation helps refine your delegation skills and adapt to the evolving needs of your team and the real estate industry. Regularly evaluating your own decisions will help you grow as a leader and further develop others on your team.