Business Credit Magazine February 2014 | Page 8

approaching them based on their personality will save you time and energy directed toward reacting to their personality later. If you do not use a formal assessment like my LUND Personality Assessment, consider asking standard questions that let you know their outlook in order to let them know you care while you carefully create an environment conducive to productive and respectful interactions. “The great leaders are like the best conductors—they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.” Blaine Lee In a productive environment, you are able to delegate efficiently for both personalities and results. Note though, delegation is not dumping, or a way to micro-manage, or an attempt to share without providing information or opportunity. Delegation is allowing others the chance to succeed, learn and grow. Delegation is a way to empower others while you empower yourself at the same time. Taking something off your plate, and giving (again, not dumping) something to someone else who you view is capable and interested in excelling, is a huge part of leadership. Sure, we all do things we don’t love, and perhaps are not the best match for our skills, but those things are not what is being addressed here. It is imperative you look at delegating as it is defined here as “an act of collaboration, belief and trust which involves assigning a result and opportunity along with the necessary authority in order to successfully accomplish the desired result,” rather than as a direct dictionary definition—and stay away from dumping. You can delegate authority by letting the delegatee own the outcome, but responsibility is ultimately yours, so use these steps to delegate deliberately: •  reparation—think about the delegation, results and the P person who is being delegated work •  lanning—set aside some time and ask delegatee for a P plan, rather than telling him/her what to do •  iscussion—ask if there are any resources, etc. needed to D complete work •  eviewing—have a timely review of progress/plans with R delegatee leading the meeting •  ppreciation—show gratitude and/or ɕ