BETTER IMPACT BOOK BITES: If You Want It Done Right, You Don't Have to Do It Yourself!

Book Background Information:

Donna M. Genett, Ph.D., has coached executives for fifteen years. In those fifteen years, a pattern became apparent to her regarding one skill that needed to be taught no matter the industry or job title: effective delegation. In just 93 pages she uses an allegory of “identical twins” that identifies hesitations to delegation, solution to overcome those hesitations and the benefits that ensue when effective delegation occurs.

Why This Book:

I chose this book because although delegation comes pretty easily to me, I have noticed in my current role that it doesn’t come so naturally to others. I have come to understand that there are many reasons, and more importantly, a lot of emotion attached to delegation such as lack of trust and feeling guilty to name a few. I wanted to find a resource that could help my team overcome these obstacles. In doing so, I discovered a few intriguing steps myself including what questions to ask when delegated to. I love this book because it sheds light on personal accountability (which is my jam) and clear communication.

You Should Read This Book:

• If at any time in your workday you say, “I am too busy to _________.”
• If you feel like you can’t make deadlines because you have so much work to do.
• If you are in a position where you are constantly delegated to.
• If you have tried to delegate in the past and it didn’t work out so well for you.
• If you have recently been promoted and your workload has increased.
• If you manage a team.
• If you lead volunteers.
• If you are working towards a promotion at work.
• If you want to create capacity and impact at your place of business, within your organization and/or within your community.

Who Should You Gift This Book To:

• Volunteer engagement managers, ESPECIALLY those who are a team of one.
• Team leaders.
• Your mentee.
• Your boss.

Important Takeaways:

This book breaks down effective delegation into 6 steps:

1. Prepare beforehand.
2. Clearly define the task to be completed. Be specific. Ask the person to whom you are delegating to repeat back the information to ensure they understand the assignment.
3. Clearly outline the time frame within which the delegated task must be completed.
4. Define the level of authority the person is to use with this task.
5. Identify checkpoints when you will meet to review progress of the project and offer guidance if needed.
6. Hold a debriefing session to discuss what went well, what could have been improved and what has been learned.

The Last Chew

Often, volunteer leaders are a team of one leading a team of hundreds. Many of us wish we had that extra hand to help us out. I would like to encourage you to look at what we do have – many willing volunteers – instead of looking at what we don’t have. Learning how to delegate effectively can not only alleviate some stress for you but can be the perfect way to show your supervisor that you are able to lead others in such a way that proves you are capable of managing a paid staff person. We all hope that day will come, but until it does, effectively delegate, delegate, delegate!

Other Related Links

• Link to Purchase If You Want It Done Right, You Don't Have To Do It Yourself
• Help I don’t Have Enough Time Guide to Volunteer Management – Book Bites by Corina Sadler, CVA
• Bug or Butterfly by Andy Fryar
• The Happiness Advantage – Tony Goodrow
• Linkedin Learning – Delegating Tasks Online Class