Does anybody else have a hard time delegating? Delegating probably doesn't come naturally to anyone. Delegation is a learned skillset that those of us in leadership must master. I have been in youth ministry for twenty years, and this has always been a struggle for me. There are several reasons for not delegating or for not delegating well. For many leaders, it is easier to do the task themselves. Others say they don't have time to delegate. And some say they feel lazy asking others to accomplish something on their list of responsibilities. I wrestle with the last sentiment.
Laziness or Longevity?
As I said, I feel lazy in asking others to do my work. I feel if I surrender one task entrusted to me, it seems like I am shirking my responsibility. I am also driven to prove my value as a professional youth pastor. But the art of delegating actually increases our effectiveness, reaching further than we ever could by ourselves. It is not laziness at all. It actually does take more work, and that leads us to our next point: I don't have time to delegate.
No Time or No Time Management?
Some don't delegate because it feels like there isn't enough time to delegate. Delegating is much more involved than simply asking someone to do a task. Delegation allows people to enter the discipleship process because leaders need to support the person serving in order to ensure their success. Handing over responsibilities to others relieves you of some of your duties, empowers others to participate in ministry, and allows leaders to focus on other important tasks. There are so many things that I love to do in ministry, but many tasks aren't the best use of my time or giftings. Planning for delegation allows leaders to raise the capacity of others. Schedule it, put it on the calendar, and you will wonder why you never made time to delegate before.
Selfish or Selfless?
I know. "It's easier to just do things myself." It is easier, but easy does not replicate disciples. When leaders control how tasks are to be completed, it kills creativity. Allow the gifting of others to produce something more beautiful than you could dream. The success of your next ministry project may not be resting on your shoulders but in a student, volunteer, or parent that is waiting to be invited into the process of ministry.
Fear of failure also exponentially expands when we invite others into the process of ministry. This is why leaders selfishly keep all the tasks to themselves. Leaders need to give others the gift of experiencing ministry as well in both success and failure. Delegation puts leaders in a position to help guide those whom God has entrusted to experience the joys and sorrows, thus increasing dependence on God through faith in Him. Failure often produces the greatest growth. And when success occurs, give your team the credit! The more we delegate, the more we increase our effectiveness in the community in which we serve.
A Few Simple Tips to Start Delegating Today:
- Plan for it. Schedule who you will talk to and when.
- Get over the mindset that says, "delegating is lazy." It's not. It's what we are called to do - "discharge all the duties of your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5). If you don't, your ministry dies with you.
- Publicly praise and privately correct. Encourage, encourage, encourage! And support the delegatee with training and resources in order for them to have the best chance for success. Ultimately that makes leaders look better, too, by replicating leadership skills that in turn develop more disciples of Christ.
So, how's your delegation going? Where have you found successes? Failures? I look forward to hearing from you.