In a recent post by the very wise Corey Jahnke, he looked at what can happen when a leader totally relinquishes responsibility. In Corey’s example he referenced a person leaving a difficult situation for his unequipped employees to handle without his guidance.
As you can imagine, it didn’t work out very well.
It reminded me of a well-known saying in leadership circles:
Delegate, but don’t abdicate.
I learned that phrase from a mentor many years ago when he noticed an area of my very young but growing business that I wasn’t paying attention to simply because it held no interest for me. I had hired another person to take care of it and left it at that. This person was equipped to handle it much better than I was. Still, it was my business, not his. Thus, it was incumbent upon me to at least be on top of it.
His advice was profound and I never forgot it.
No, I never forgot it. But, I must admit there were times I ignored it. And, whenever I did it came back to bite me. Fortunately, I’ve improved in this regard over the years.
It’s still my nature to want to ignore that part of my business that holds no interest to me. Fortunately, my business partner Kathy Zader is not only terrific in those areas where I’m lacking, she keeps me involved, as well.
Yes, let’s focus on the parts where we excel, what is most fun and what keeps us inspired and action-oriented.
And, let’s delegate those other parts to those who do it better and enjoy it more.
Delegate — don’t abdicate.
How do you do in this regard?
————————-
The release of my new book, Adversaries into Allies is quickly approaching. Would you like a sneak peek? Visit www.AdversariesintoAllies.com and get your free chapter. Let me know what you think.
Enjoy this post? Receive an update when our next post is published by entering your best email address below and clicking Get Updates.
Totally agree Bob and it hurts as well when you ignore your intuition – getting bitten in the derriere that is.
I’m all about connecting B2B clients so that they can create a supportive team to help them get things done, things they are perhaps not well equipped or don’t have the time to handle themselves. I’ve also learned this year (ass bitten lesson), not to refer/recommend service providers unless I have had personal experience with them or they come highly recommended by someone I trust.
Thanks for continuing to share your knowledge and expertise and making it fun along the way.
Janis: Thank YOU. Great thoughts and lessons. Thank you for sharing. And, hoping your “bitten butt” (can I say that?) feels better soon. 🙂
Bob,
This seems to be such a simple concept but is quite often disregarded – I know that I have been guilty way to often in my life and career. There is a difference between empowerment and abandonment. Delegating – to me – means empowering whereas abdicating is merely abandoning. Empowering implies ability, confidence and guidance.
The opposite not only sets up the situation for failure the bad news typically continues when the time comes to determine responsibility and accountability. The person(s) abdicating the project is most often ready to do the same when it comes time to answer for the issues.
I’ve delegated and I’ve abdicated. Delegating is better.
Thank you for another great post.
Bill
Bill: Thank YOU, for your very thoughtful and wise commentary, and for sharing your wisdom with us. You took the concept to a much deeper level. Appreciated!!
Good advice. I’ve also heard it said this way. Build on your strengths and manage your weaknesses. for instance I love to cook and somehow I always manage to get Todd to do the dishes. Hahaha
Beth: LOL. Funny, and I don’t like to cook or do dishes…but love to eat! 😉
Agreed. And once we do delegate it, it doesn’t mean ignore it. And Kathy Zader is Brilliant indeed.
Carly: Thank you. I agree with you on both points! 🙂
Several years ago my father found some one to “manage” his very large development business and took off to enjoy life in the sunny south. When he came back he asked, “How much did it cost to build that house?” The reply was,” I don’t know.” Then other questions followed, “what is the cost of adding a garage, the cost for a fireplace, the cost of an extra bathroom…?” Each time the reply was, “I don’t know.” Dad looked at the numbers and they were LOSING MONEY on each house.” Needless to say he got involved.
Judy: Thank you for sharing that sad but powerful example!
Bob,
You can”t imagine how timely your words are for me. Yesterday I began making a list of the areas of my work that I either don’t have time for, or don’t have a lot of interest in. I know delegation is my best option, and I appreciate the reminder that handing over parts of my business does not mean simply throwing them away! So I will do my best to be mindful 🙂
Anita: Thank you for sharing that. I appreciate knowing that the post came at a good time! And, I know you’ll you’ll delegate just right! 🙂
I like the way this issue is discussed, but my question is when you abdicate, do you come back and claim responsibility for the job well done?
Mathiasamball: Thank you for your question. My answer would not to abdicate, but to delegate. And, when they do a great job, by all means GIVE THEM THE CREDIT! 🙂
As always, you offer such wise and timely advice, Bob! I thank you and Carly for your very kind words.
Kathy/99: Did I mention that you are brilliant…and awesome! – Max (86)
The two extremes of doing delegation wrong are abdicate and micro-manage. Neither are good practices but I wonder if abdicate brings the greatest business risk since you have absolutely no influence on the outcome. Even if the person is genuinely trying they could destroy your brand through lack of any feedback or communication.
Great reminder to focus on doing it right at all times. Hard, especially without a 99.
Doug: You make a great point. A micro-manager, while not working at optimum productiveness can still get things done, and get them done mostly correctly. The one who totally abdicates is taking a huge chance that those to whom they are abdicating both care and are qualified. And, always much, much more difficult without a 99. She makes things easy for everyone else! She’s awesome! 🙂
Great post Bob! And, thanks for the mention. I continue to watch situations like this happen more and more as business people are expected to do more with less. The end result is finger pointing and scapegoating. Guess what happens then…Allies become Adversaries!! 🙂
Corey: Indeed, that can certainly happen under those circumstances. The environment becomes almost ripe for it. Thank you for sharing that! And thank you for inspiring the post!
This is SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!! This is part of why I today am strugling with huge debt, because I “abdicated my finances to my accountant – went down wit my business and “all of a sudden” owed a lot of tax and went broke in my private finances, trying to cope. I WAS IN CHOCK – I’ve never in my life been so scared – because when I took care of finances myself, I always made sure I’d be able to pay. I’m still “suffering” hugely from this devestating faillure!!!! Thank’s for addressing this topic Bob. YOU ARE AWESOME.
Lene: I’m so very sorry to hear about that! I wish you the very best as you work your way back, and do appreciate your willingness to share this with everyone in order for your experience help others.