Matching Task to Person

Match the task to the person's development level. A new team member needs more structure and check-ins. An experienced one needs autonomy and trust. Micromanaging competent people is as destructive as abandoning new ones to figure it out alone. The art of delegation is calibrating support to the individual.

For any handoff, name the level of authority you are granting. Level 1 is "do exactly what I say." Level 5 is "decide and execute without consulting me." State the level out loud at the start. Most delegation breakdowns happen because the manager and the report quietly assumed different levels.