I’ll be honest—I used to be terrible at delegating.
I’d start every day with the best intentions, ready to focus on the big priorities. But before I knew it, I was knee-deep in tasks that someone else could have done, and my own to-do list? Still untouched.
Sound familiar?
Lately, I’ve had so many conversations with people who feel the same way. They want to delegate, but something always holds them back. And I totally get it—letting go of tasks can feel uncomfortable, even risky.
But here’s the truth: Trying to do everything yourself isn’t just exhausting—it’s holding you (and your team) back.
Let’s talk about why delegation is so difficult and, more importantly, how to get better at it.
Why Is Delegating So Hard?
If you struggle with delegation, you’re not alone. Here are some of the biggest reasons why it feels so difficult:
1. “It’s Quicker to Just Do It Myself”
One of the biggest traps we fall into is thinking, By the time I explain this, I could have just done it myself. And in the short term, that might be true.
But if you never delegate, you’ll be stuck doing that task forever. Spending time now to show someone else how to do it means you never have to do it again.
2. “What If They Don’t Do It Right?”
Let’s be real—it’s hard to trust someone else to do something exactly the way you would. But here’s the thing:
They might do it differently—but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
If they don’t get it right first time, it’s a learning opportunity.
You can always give guidance and feedback to improve results.
Perfectionism keeps us stuck in the mindset that only we can do things properly. But delegating doesn’t mean lowering standards—it means teaching and empowering others to do things well.
3. “I Feel Guilty Handing Off Work”
A lot of people (especially those in leadership roles) feel guilty about giving tasks to others. But think about it this way—delegation isn’t about offloading work, it’s about playing to people’s strengths.
When you delegate, you’re giving someone the chance to:
✅ Learn a new skill
✅ Take ownership of something meaningful
✅ Contribute to the team’s success
Delegation isn’t dumping work on someone—it’s developing them.
4. “I Don’t Know What to Delegate”
Not everything should be delegated, but a lot more can be than we realise. If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself these questions:
Does this require my unique expertise? If not, someone else can do it.
Is this a recurring task? If yes, train someone else to take it over.
Will this help develop someone’s skills? If yes, it’s a great opportunity to delegate.
How to Get Better at Delegation
So, how do you actually delegate well? Here are some steps that have worked for me:
1. Start Small
If you’re new to delegating, don’t start by handing over your biggest, most complex task. Instead, choose something straightforward that doesn’t carry huge risks.
Once you get comfortable, you can build up to bigger responsibilities.
2. Be Clear About Expectations
One of the biggest reasons delegation fails is because instructions are vague. When you delegate, be crystal clear about:
✅ What needs to be done
✅ The deadline
✅ The level of quality you expect
✅ Any resources or support they might need
This sets the person up for success and reduces the chance of things coming back to you half-done.
3. Trust, But Check-In
Trusting people doesn’t mean disappearing and hoping for the best. Set up regular check-ins to see how things are going, offer support, and course-correct if needed.
Pro tip: Instead of saying “Let me know if you need help,” ask “How’s it going? Is there anything you need from me?”—this makes it easier for people to ask for guidance.
4. Accept That It Won’t Be Perfect (At First)
No one gets everything right the first time—including you! Delegation is a skill for both sides—you’re learning how to hand things over effectively, and they’re learning how to take responsibility.
There might be hiccups, and that’s okay. Give feedback, adjust your approach, and keep going.
5. Focus on What Only You Can Do
At the end of the day, your time is limited. If you’re spending hours on tasks that someone else could handle, you’re taking time away from the things only you can do.
Delegation isn’t just about lightening your workload—it’s about freeing you up for the work that truly matters.
The Big Takeaway
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or constantly running out of time, it’s time to start delegating.
And remember:
Delegation isn’t about losing control—it’s about gaining focus.
Handing off tasks doesn’t mean lowering standards—it means teaching and trusting.
Letting go of the small stuff gives you time for the big stuff.
So if you’re ready to stop doing everything yourself and start focusing on the things that really matter… it’s time to take action – sign up for your free place on our Foundations of Success Course (just add the code ATVIP at checkout to zero the fee)!
