Delegating Isn’t Ditching
You Can’t Hand Off a Mess and Call It Leadership
Let’s get one thing straight: delegation is not just yeeting tasks off your plate like you’re cleaning up for a surprise performance review.
If your idea of delegation is dropping an assignment on someone’s lap with zero context, no support, and a shrug that says “you got this,” congratulations, you’re not leading. You’re ditching.
And your team knows it.
The Dirty Truth About “Delegation”
Real talk? Most people in leadership positions aren’t delegating, they’re dodging. They pass off chaos, hope someone else sorts it out, and then act surprised when it doesn’t magically turn into a beautiful deck or a bug-free feature.
Delegation isn’t about doing less work.
It’s about doing different work.
More strategic. More supportive. More human.
If you’re not actively helping your people succeed, you’re just redistributing stress like it’s Halloween candy.
Signs You’re Ditching, Not Delegating:
- You assign work without explaining why it matters
- You throw a ticket over the fence and vanish like Batman
- You’re surprised when the outcome doesn’t match your imaginary expectations
- You give zero feedback until something’s on fire
- You’ve never said, “How can I help?” or “What do you need from me?”
If this hits a little too close to home... good. Awareness is the first step toward being less of a jackass.
What Real Delegation Looks Like
- Clarity of Purpose
Don't just assign a task. Explain the impact. Connect it to the bigger picture. - Clear Expectations
Define success. Deadlines, deliverables, quality standards, don’t assume they’re mind readers. - Ongoing Support
Delegating doesn’t mean disappearing. Stay available. Check in. Offer help without micromanaging. - Ownership, Not Abdication
They own the task, but you still own the outcome. If they fail, it’s not “their fault”, it’s yours too. - Debrief and Feedback
After it’s done, talk about what went well and what could improve. That’s how people grow. That’s how you grow.
You’re not a leader because you hand out tasks. You’re a leader because you build people up while doing it.
Delegating right means trust without abandonment, clarity without control, and support without smothering.
Get it wrong, and you’re just ditching responsibilities and hoping no one notices.
Get it right, and you create a team that thrives, even when you’re not in the room.
Which one do you want to be?
Lead. Don't Ctrl.
