Comments on: How to delegate for people who hate delegating http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/ Career and life advice for the new generation Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:03:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Royce Hadden http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320898 Royce Hadden Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:18:34 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320898 Rebecca you are lucky, C-Mac (as we at FIWK call her) saves all her best stuff for her guest blogs on Modite =P All she posts on her own blog for us pedestrians these days are photos of women's tights with Twitter references: http://bossygirls.blogspot.com/2009/10/is-it-geeky-that-i-want-this-follow-me.html ANYWAY, I actually was lucky enough to learn how to delegate at my job. As a project manager for some of my company's properties, I don't know jack about installing security cameras so I sure as hell had to lean on the expertise of someone who does. It also taught me to shop hard for rates, negotiate, and work with people to pick their brain and integrate their own expertise into your own. All in all it's been a great learning experience. I am still learning how to integrate these lessons about delegating into my own life, like Caitlin did in #3 on her list. For instance, I have learned that I really need to get a maid service to keep my apartment with 3 dudes clean and sanitary... but I haven't bitten the bullet and paid for one yet. Getting pasts #4 - paying someone - is harder because I always think "well I'll do it myself and save the money" but then never actually do it myself. D'oh Rebecca you are lucky, C-Mac (as we at FIWK call her) saves all her best stuff for her guest blogs on Modite =P

All she posts on her own blog for us pedestrians these days are photos of women’s tights with Twitter references:

http://bossygirls.blogspot.com/2009/10/is-it-geeky-that-i-want-this-follow-me.html

ANYWAY, I actually was lucky enough to learn how to delegate at my job. As a project manager for some of my company’s properties, I don’t know jack about installing security cameras so I sure as hell had to lean on the expertise of someone who does. It also taught me to shop hard for rates, negotiate, and work with people to pick their brain and integrate their own expertise into your own. All in all it’s been a great learning experience.

I am still learning how to integrate these lessons about delegating into my own life, like Caitlin did in #3 on her list. For instance, I have learned that I really need to get a maid service to keep my apartment with 3 dudes clean and sanitary… but I haven’t bitten the bullet and paid for one yet. Getting pasts #4 – paying someone – is harder because I always think “well I’ll do it myself and save the money” but then never actually do it myself. D’oh

]]> By: Cassie Holman http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320638 Cassie Holman Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:27:27 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320638 I was at a networking event this morning and there was a panel of senior level managers available to field questions from the young professionals in the audience. Someone asked about the process of delegation and this question yielded the most enthusiastic response to every CEO, CFO, VP on that panel! They couldn't stress enough the importance of that question and learning the proper way to delegate and lead. No matter where you are in your career, this is great advice! This post did an awesome job of outlining simple ways we can all delegate and keep our workload (and sanity) under control. I especially loved your point about considering the amount of money you spend on something that consumes your time (like doing your nails). It was an interesting take on the idea of delegation :) I was at a networking event this morning and there was a panel of senior level managers available to field questions from the young professionals in the audience. Someone asked about the process of delegation and this question yielded the most enthusiastic response to every CEO, CFO, VP on that panel! They couldn’t stress enough the importance of that question and learning the proper way to delegate and lead.

No matter where you are in your career, this is great advice! This post did an awesome job of outlining simple ways we can all delegate and keep our workload (and sanity) under control. I especially loved your point about considering the amount of money you spend on something that consumes your time (like doing your nails). It was an interesting take on the idea of delegation :)

]]> By: Jonathan Bradley http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320631 Jonathan Bradley Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:42:44 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320631 Your evaluation of the cost of YOUR time to do your nails rings with me. Once I began placing a dollar value on my time to do things, it became more appartent that others could do some things just as effectively, but more efficiently. And yes, I would never relenquish the duties I love, but I do find some satisfaction in teaching others how to do them. After all, I have a passion for them and do them well, others will only be imitators. In my personal life I often pay family and friends to do tasks I would rather not, but they would benefit from the extra money and they have a skill in the task. Sometimes this is more expensive than my own time to do it; however, in the end, it's always nice to see something done and I didn't have to do all the legwork myself. Delegation is great, and so is your post! Your evaluation of the cost of YOUR time to do your nails rings with me. Once I began placing a dollar value on my time to do things, it became more appartent that others could do some things just as effectively, but more efficiently. And yes, I would never relenquish the duties I love, but I do find some satisfaction in teaching others how to do them. After all, I have a passion for them and do them well, others will only be imitators. In my personal life I often pay family and friends to do tasks I would rather not, but they would benefit from the extra money and they have a skill in the task. Sometimes this is more expensive than my own time to do it; however, in the end, it’s always nice to see something done and I didn’t have to do all the legwork myself. Delegation is great, and so is your post!

]]> By: Natalie http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320610 Natalie Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:30:59 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320610 This is a great post. I am sending my husband through law school and money is tight. But I declared about a year ago that I was getting my eyebrows and nails and toes done regularly. I couldn't stand looking unkept and had to admit that there are things in life I just can't do. That holds true professionally too. This is a great post. I am sending my husband through law school and money is tight. But I declared about a year ago that I was getting my eyebrows and nails and toes done regularly. I couldn’t stand looking unkept and had to admit that there are things in life I just can’t do.

That holds true professionally too.

]]> By: Paula Farrington http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320602 Paula Farrington Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:40:30 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320602 Tiffany - that's a very astute comment about not hogging all the cool things - great thought and great content on your site too. Caitlin and Rebecca - thanks (and I'd never delegate reading your respective posts!) Tiffany – that’s a very astute comment about not hogging all the cool things – great thought and great content on your site too.

Caitlin and Rebecca – thanks (and I’d never delegate reading your respective posts!)

]]> By: Caitlin McCabe http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320583 Caitlin McCabe Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:22:52 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320583 Paula - thanks for the nail link and compliments - I always love looking at the crazy nails some girls get :) Tiffany - that's a really insightful comment, I am probably a "cool things hog". Love that term! It is difficult to know which things you love to eventually delegate at some point and which to keep. Thanks for the comment! Paula – thanks for the nail link and compliments – I always love looking at the crazy nails some girls get :)

Tiffany – that’s a really insightful comment, I am probably a “cool things hog”. Love that term! It is difficult to know which things you love to eventually delegate at some point and which to keep. Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Tiffany Monhollon http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320444 Tiffany Monhollon Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:47:17 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320444 Here's the thing about don't delegate the jobs you love.There's a caveat, especially when you move into management. For many, it can be difficult to stay interested especially if you are a highly skilled tactician and love the stuff you are now equipping and leading other people to do. So this is where the not delegating what you love happens. But it's dangerous just in and of itself. (Especially if the stuff you love is the stuff anyone would love.) The last thing you want to do is be a cool-stuff-hog. So the key is not to sacrifice what you like and hate work by delegating all of what you love. That's actually a great way to make everyone miserable. Instead, it's to get creative and find ways to 1) make everything more lovable and 2) bring other people inside what you love (especially if they love it too). So that's my challenge. To find ways to keep what I love in my job at the same time I'm equipping my team to love what they already do more and to do more of what I already love. :) Here’s the thing about don’t delegate the jobs you love.There’s a caveat, especially when you move into management. For many, it can be difficult to stay interested especially if you are a highly skilled tactician and love the stuff you are now equipping and leading other people to do. So this is where the not delegating what you love happens. But it’s dangerous just in and of itself. (Especially if the stuff you love is the stuff anyone would love.) The last thing you want to do is be a cool-stuff-hog.

So the key is not to sacrifice what you like and hate work by delegating all of what you love. That’s actually a great way to make everyone miserable. Instead, it’s to get creative and find ways to 1) make everything more lovable and 2) bring other people inside what you love (especially if they love it too).

So that’s my challenge.

To find ways to keep what I love in my job at the same time I’m equipping my team to love what they already do more and to do more of what I already love.

:)

]]> By: Rebecca Thorman http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320439 Rebecca Thorman Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:07:54 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320439 @ Paula - Ha, thanks! Isn't she great? I like to think Caitlin's writing and ideas run parallel to my own. Like, we're in the same city, but in different neighborhoods. I'm glad everyone is enjoying her weekly columns as much as I do. @ Paula – Ha, thanks! Isn’t she great? I like to think Caitlin’s writing and ideas run parallel to my own. Like, we’re in the same city, but in different neighborhoods. I’m glad everyone is enjoying her weekly columns as much as I do.

]]> By: Paula Farrington http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320436 Paula Farrington Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:59:35 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320436 Really enjoyed this article ... your note about not delegating what you love is especially wise. I also couldn't help remembering a post I saw recently in Daily Candy about some cool new Japanese art nails: http://www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/article/74253/Kawaii-Nails-from-Japan These nails might be a bit much for work situations, but would be really fun for special parties or themed events! You article also brought to mind a funny and warm new book I'm really enjoying right now called "The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less" by Terry Hershey. Delegating is a super way to make time to pause and reflect on what's really important in life — and to not miss the deeper sense of wonder and meaning that is always waiting within our day-to-day hustle bustle when we take time to stop for a minute and notice it. Thanks again for your great perspective and your very enjoyable writing voice. I'll look forward to your weekly columns (and you have a good eye for writing talent that complements your own enjoyable style, Rebecca!). High fives, Paula Really enjoyed this article … your note about not delegating what you love is especially wise. I also couldn’t help remembering a post I saw recently in Daily Candy about some cool new Japanese art nails:
http://www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/article/74253/Kawaii-Nails-from-Japan
These nails might be a bit much for work situations, but would be really fun for special parties or themed events!

You article also brought to mind a funny and warm new book I’m really enjoying right now called “The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less” by Terry Hershey. Delegating is a super way to make time to pause and reflect on what’s really important in life — and to not miss the deeper sense of wonder and meaning that is always waiting within our day-to-day hustle bustle when we take time to stop for a minute and notice it.

Thanks again for your great perspective and your very enjoyable writing voice. I’ll look forward to your weekly columns (and you have a good eye for writing talent that complements your own enjoyable style, Rebecca!).

High fives,

Paula

]]> By: Nisha http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/comment-page-1/#comment-320427 Nisha Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:04:24 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/21/how-to-delegate-for-people-who-hate-delegating/#comment-320427 Love the anecdote about the nails -- you're a great writer! :) Love the anecdote about the nails — you’re a great writer! :)

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