Learning to delegate is the number 1 skill to growing your startup

I remember the starting phase of Whale. I can honestly say I don’t miss those days. Having gone from the 2 of us who founded the business, to a now team of 20 I can highly recommend hiring top talent.

I did however learn that hiring top talent also meant that I had to learn how to let go and let them lead their area of expertise.

In the early stages, you, like I did, probably had to be the jack-of-all-trades, handling everything from sales pitches to late-night bug fixes. Well, actually late-night fixes were Bram’s story…

But the point I’m trying to make is that as your company grows (or as you grow it), the art of delegation becomes one of your most potent weapons for success.

Delegation isn’t about passing the buck;

It’s about recognizing that your time is a finite and precious resource. By delegating effectively, you empower your team to take on responsibilities that free you up to focus on high-impact tasks.

If you want to survive the game of entrepreneurship, nevermind win, it's your number one skill. Delegation means;

1. You can focus on What Matters: Delegation allows you to concentrate on rock, strategic planning, innovation, and steering your ship toward your ultimate vision. It’s about working on your business, not just in it.

2. Building a highly effective and Productive team: When you delegate tasks to team members who are skilled and motivated, you tap into their expertise, which often leads to more efficient and productive outcomes.

3. Employee Growth: Delegating provides opportunities for your team to develop new skills, grow professionally, and take ownership of their work. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

4. Preventing Burnout: And I mean yours and your teams! Wearing too many hats for too long can lead to founder burnout. And that's going to impact the rest of your personal life which if you're like me and hold a number of other titles which include 'parent' and 'partner', then that's not ok.

Delegating relieves some of the pressure and reduces the risk of burnout, ensuring you stay in the game for the long haul.

Delegation — And the 7 steps you need to make it happen!

Dan Martell Twitter

Effective delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks — it’s a nuanced skill that requires finesse. Here’s how to master it:

1. RESET your thinking! Take it from one founder to another or just take it from me. You're the number 1 problem and your own biggest enemy in your business. You don't delegate because you're worried others won't do it right or that things will go wrong. But if you continue to shoot yourself in the foot like that, things are going to go South, fast. Reset your thinking about what delegation means. It means you have a highly effective team. It means that your business can grow. And it means that you can take a holiday!
2. Audit your OWN time and energy. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? You need to know this for yourself before you know it for your team! Find top players that are going to fill in your weaknesses and make it count!

Think about your hourly rate. If you’d be comfortable compensating someone at your hourly wage to handle tasks you excel at or genuinely enjoy, then by all means, continue doing so. However, if the task’s value falls significantly short of your hourly rate, it may not be the most efficient use of your time.

1. Transfer your knowledge: The reason I started Whale was because I was hiring top talent but they weren't taking on as much as I'd hoped. I realized that actually, it was me who needed to transfer knowledge in a structured way to team members so that they really could play their A-game!
2. Set Clear Expectations: When things go wrong, I often have to look in the mirror! As a team, we've grown over time and learned that clearly defining our rocks and tasks is the key to success.

For example;

1. Trust and Empower: Trust your team to complete the task without micromanaging. Delegation isn’t an excuse to hover; it’s an opportunity to empower.
2. Provide Resources: Ensure your team has the resources they need, whether it’s access to information, tools (Yes, like Whale!), or training. Equip them for success.
3. Establish Accountability: Hold team members accountable for their delegated tasks. Regular check-ins and progress updates are essential.
4. Learn from Feedback: Encourage open communication. If things go awry, view it as a learning opportunity for both you and your team.
5. Embrace Imperfection: Understand that mistakes happen. Encourage risk-taking within reason, as it’s a catalyst for growth.
6. Reframe what Delegation means: Delegating doesn’t mean relinquishing control completely. It’s about achieving a balance between autonomy and oversight. Your role is to steer the ship so keep clear on that. If you do your strategic planning right, you'll be able to have oversight without micromanaging.

So, dear fellow founder, it’s time to take a step back, evaluate your plate, and recognize that delegation isn’t a sign of weakness.

If you do delegation RIGHT, it's a tool that enables you to invest your time and energy into not just managing a business but steering it toward greater success.

Now that's growth!

Until next time

Gary