For those who are traveling temporarily as part of their job, the intimidation factor of meeting and working with a whole new crew can be compounded when they’re also in charge.
Here, we’ll go over 5 ways to delegate tasks during a temporary travel job that not only make you more effective, but do so in a way that makes everyone (yes, including you) more comfortable.
Before we get started though, think about your experiences having someone delegate.
You can probably remember a scenario where you felt honored to carry out the task that was asked of you.
You may also recall situations and conditions where you may have been annoyed when someone tried to delegate.
Who was asking you to do these things, and how did you feel about them? Did you respect them? Did you feel as though they had a thorough understanding of the task at hand, and the roles and responsibilities of each individual hired to see it through?
Effective delegation is like being a conductor in an orchestra. It requires not only an understanding of the music, but also knowledge of what each person and their corresponding instrument has to contribute. A good conductor needs a sharp comprehension of both of those components in order to achieve a standing ovation.
1. Know the Team
In order to delegate effectively, it’s important to understand who everyone is, and know their role or contribution to the project. Asking someone to do someone else’s job is not only unproductive, it shows that the individual in charge may lack some necessary experience.
In cases where it’s necessary to assign someone to do something that isn’t the norm, an explanation of why goes a long way.
A quick way to get to know the team (depending on the line of work and whether it’s appropriate or not) especially if everyone else is also a temporary worker, is this: why not do something touristy together, off the clock? It can serve as a low-key way for everyone to get to know each other.
Whether staying in a furnished apartment in Sioux Falls or corporate housing in Dallas, settling in and acclimating to a new place can be somewhat stressful. Doing what you can to familiarize yourself and others with the area can make the move less daunting, and put everyone at ease.
2. Know the Goal
What type of project is it, and what are the goals? Being able to see the bigger picture – the completed project – is vital for effective delegation. It’s important that everyone else clearly comprehends the goal as well.
When everyone understands and is on the same page, it’s much easier to delegate. And if things go awry, knowing the desired outcome can be a great way to rally everyone together and come up with a plan B.
3. Communicate
As with so many other areas of life, communication is vital. Unsure of something or need some clarification? Ask.
Need to delegate something that’s different from the standard operating procedure? Explain why.
Communication doesn’t mean roping everyone into long droning meetings. It means being clear on expectations, and keeping space for others to ask questions as well.
Making sure the time frame, use of budget or resources, and what the desired outcome is will help others execute properly and efficiently when you are their line manager.
4. Have Patience
If someone doesn’t understand right away, explain it again, or see if someone else is able to. Losing patience or becoming visibly rattled over something can make others uncomfortable, and ultimately lose faith or worse, respect.
5. No One Can Do It All
The biggest reason to delegate is to free you up to attend to other things. Perfectionist types tend to have a harder time with delegation, believing no one can do it as well as them. Trust that others will do their best, and steer clear of micromanaging.
However, if someone is working inefficiently or not doing something correctly, it’s ok to let them know and show them a better, more effective method.
Conclusion:
One last thing to remember is, there was a reason you were picked for the job. It’s amazing what people can accomplish when working together; after all – there’s no “I” in team. Or delegate.
