Lessons from summer camp on how to delegate

August 4, 2017

As I am packing up my daughter’s bags for her first overnight camp experience—a significant rite of passage for her—I am reminded of the first time I had to delegate a work project. Just as it is hard to put the care of your child in the hands of others, it can feel difficult to give up control at work. The key to success in either scenario is a lot of forethought and preparation.

Plan ahead. Rather than wait until the last minute, I printed out the camp packing list weeks in advance to understand what, if anything, I needed to buy. When delegating a project, time is also a critical factor. You’ll want enough time to engage and prepare your team so they have a full understanding of the project deliverables and deadlines.

Set expectations. My daughter had to read through and sign paperwork agreeing to abide by the camp rules. Similarly, when putting others in charge, you need to be very clear what you expect from each team member as far as their roles and responsibilities. Also, be sure to clearly define the measures of success and anticipated outcomes.

Empower others. The only way you can successfully turn over the reigns is to step back and cede control through empowerment. I have explained to my daughter that while I’d love to hear she showered and made her bed daily, I realize she is in charge and will make her own decisions. In a work environment, teams can become paralyzed if they feel they aren’t empowered as decision-makers. Knowing they have your trust, your colleagues will be able to move the project forward more smoothly and efficiently with better results.

Of course, things won’t always go perfectly. Some deadlines may be missed or your team may approach the work differently than you would. As a manager, you have to stay committed to the process and not jump in and try to take over. Since my daughter is so young, I am prepared for dirty clothes to come home mixed with the clean ones, and I expect that some belongings may be left behind. And that is okay.

While delegating means letting go of control, it’s still important to be accessible in case your team has questions or runs into any issues. Just as I have always made myself available to my team during a critical project, I have rented a condo close to my daughter’s camp while she is away. Just in case anyone needs me!

Author: Ashlee Goodman

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Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

Whether telecommuting is old hat or something you’ve been forced into as part of the COVID-19 shutdown, here are a few tips to make the experience run smoothly for both employers and employees.

Managing expectations

Successful work-from-home strategies always begin with clearly communicated expectations. Make sure your employees have any necessary equipment, tools and resources. Will they need to track their time? Participate in regularly scheduled meetings? Be available at certain times of day? For employees, know what you’re accountable for and clearly communicate any challenges you’re having.

Constant communication

Keep the lines of communication open and be accessible. Check in with employees regularly through apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Skype, or even an old-fashioned email or phone call. Be genuinely interested in how they’re doing but don’t overdo it. Foster a feeling of trust by not micromanaging.

Nine to five…ish

While having a daily schedule is ideal, it may not always be practical right now. Make sure your people know when you need them to be available and try to offer flexibility at other times. They may be juggling school schedules as well as work schedules and working at “off-shift” times may be necessary. Be mindful of employees in different time zones as well.

For employees, try to work when you’re at your best, and not when you’re exhausted by kindergarten playtime and fourth grade math. Make sure people know if you will be unavailable at certain times.

Taking a break

Getting up and moving clears the head and helps with creativity and problem-solving. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a break for lunch, make time to get away from your desk throughout the day.

Signing off

Working from home does not mean being available 24/7. Set an actual end to the workday if possible. Don’t send and respond to messages at all hours. Sign out of messaging apps and close work programs. Understand and respect these boundaries.

Location, location, location

When setting up a home office, think about where you will have the fewest distractions – for yourself and for those who may be seeing you and your background on a video conferencing platform. Try to avoid busy spots that may include semi-clad people walking behind you, barking dogs and kids vying for your attention.

Conferencing and calls

Be clear about whether you expect people to turn on their cameras during meetings. If so, be clear about how they should be dressed. During calls, mute your phone when you’re not talking to avoid background noise. Headphones can also help with call quality. When speaking, pause frequently so others can participate in the conversation.

Social engagement

It’s ok for managers and employees to have some down time together, which may help ward off feelings of isolation. Keep up your normal level of interaction, perhaps with a virtual coffee break or happy hour. Managers should set the tone for how casual to be. Let employees choose what they would like to share, and never pry into areas that were off-limits before.

Author: Erin Alderfer