Does Delegation Foster Employee Motivation?

Does Delegation Foster Employee Motivation? If you're handing off tasks to your subordinates that you consider drudgery and insignificant, it's unlikely to inspire motivation. In fact, such actions hardly qualify as delegation at all.

In my article titled " Overcoming the Patronage Paradigm: The Power of Delegation" I delved into the significance of delegation in alleviating a leader's workload while simultaneously nurturing the team's capabilities. In this piece, I aim to explore the positive impact that effective and judicious delegation can have on employee motivation.

Let's illustrate this with an example. Let’s take an IT startup named ABZ Tech. The company's CEO has initiated a new software project to meet growth targets and recognizes the need to delegate certain tasks to a manager reporting to him. Here are four key aspects the CEO should pay attention in order to motivate the manager during the delegation process:

• Setting Goals and Encouraging Participation: The CEO articulates the project's objectives to the manager and encourages him to share ideas on achieving these goals. This fosters an emotional investment in the project for him.

• Presenting the Larger Vision: The CEO clearly explains how the project contributes to the company's growth strategy. This increases motivation because the manager understands how his role contributes to the company's goals, adding purpose to his job.

• Granting Autonomy and Empowerment: The CEO allows the manager to determine how to organize his tasks and when to deliver results. This autonomy not only empowers the manager but also provides an opportunity for him to showcase his skills and creativity.

• Maintaining Open Communication and Providing Support: The CEO engages in regular communication with the manager throughout the project and offers support as needed. This supportive approach fosters a sense of value and importance within him.

By taking these factors into account, organizations can view the delegation process not only as a tool to enhance productivity but also as an opportunity to bolster employee motivation. By empowering employees to assume greater responsibilities and make meaningful contributions, businesses can facilitate their development while simultaneously driving the company's success.