Merriam-Webster defines delegation as: “1) the act of empowering to act for another (i.e. responsibilities) and 2) a group of persons chosen to represent others.” For the purposes of today’s blog, let’s dive into the first definition, “the act of empowering to act for another”!
When you go about your daily life, do you have areas of life that you “delegate” to others? If so, in those areas that another is taking care of, how familiar are you with the specifics of how the other is carrying out those responsibilities?
We all pack our calendars and juggle our days. If our world stopped for a day, a week, a month – how would / who could “step in” and cover you?
I ask this to raise awareness of the intricacies of the “little things” that are being done in areas you may not be aware of. Consider paying the bills at home. If one person in the family handles this responsibility, you may not be aware of who is being paid and how this payment is made. Online banking and paperless bills reduce the possibility of a “paper trail”. If something were to go awry, it is possible to not know anything about who needs to be paid when, thus increasing the chance of policy and/or service disruption if a payment is not made.
When it comes to managing schedules, who is responsible for schedules for you and your family, for your business commitments, for your personal commitments? How do you communicate your scheduling commitments? If you were unable to meet a commitment, how do you notify those impacted?
These are two of many areas of our day to day lives that function seemingly on “auto pilot”. Delegation serves us at home and in business. Yet, delegation and the empowerment of others leaves out a key consideration to understand. If we delegate without any understanding or direct knowledge of how the other is handling the responsibility, there is a “gap” in our system.
What I’ve noticed in working with families and business people is they rarely question “how” things are done. There is so much relief that things are proceeding that how it’s done isn’t evaluated – there are enough things that require immediate action. Yet, in those times when we need someone to step in for us or when we need to step in for another, boy do we wish there was a “play book”.
Delegation is needed in life, at home and in business. Delegation with a “play book” is a powerful way to allow your home life and work life proceed in all times. What’s next on the horizon is known and unknown. Planning the little things in our day to day lives at home and work is what we love to do at The Living Planner©. Contact us to learn more about how we work with individuals, business owners and employees via Email or online @ The Living Planner #AreYouReady #CareForPeopleCareForBusiness