The Difficulty in Delegating

"One of the hardest duties to handle as a leader is that of delegation; because- too often- the passion he has for seeing a task performed exceptionally well is not shared by those to whom he has delegated it. But a good leader will recognize his limitations and delegate anyway, always taking note of who can be trusted and who cannot. So, if one is called upon over and over again to assigned tasks... he should consider that a compliment and a testament of his trustworthy character. Conversely, if he is never called upon for a delegated task, perhaps his trustworthiness has been called into question." --Anonymous

Having worked in a leadership position of a ministry for thirteen years, I haven't always had an easy time giving over responsibility to others. I get it honestly. My dad, a pastor of 30 years, had a difficult time with this for the first half of his service. His mindset -as was mine- was: "If you want something done right, just do it yourself."

There is a two-fold problem with that logic. First, you assume that your way is the only "right" way of doing something. It comes across as haughty and arrogant, and others are less likely to want to help in fear of falling short of your unattainable expectations. Second, with this mindset, you will have to do everything yourself. For those in the ministry for any length of time, you understand that the latter point is the quickest way to burn yourself out. You will become weak and "weary in well-doing" in no time.

We can learn from the adage, "Do more by doing less yourself." There is much truth in this paradox. It does not say "Do more by doing less." That last word yourself is ever-so important. It implies that growth will happen once we get others involved. Delegation if you will.
Once my dad relinquished some of his innumerable ministerial tasks to others, the growth of our church and its ministries commenced.

It is important to note that finding the right people to trust is key. It is also a learning process. One must be very diligent in observing people and recognizing their talents. Discovering who is reliable and who is not is not as taunting a task as it may seem. As my experiences have dictated, there are those who are not reliable. They want to help (with all good intentions), but never follow through on anything. They take charge of a ministry only to quit it a few months in. They tackle a task and months later, it still has not been completed. But then there are those who, when you delegate a task to them, exceed your expectations and you discover that the job was done far better than if you had done it to the best of your own ability.... going to prove that your way is not always the "right" or "best" way.

As I continue to learn how to delegate and to whom I should delegate tasks, I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 9:10. It is my life verse. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest." My mindset is to always do my best. Never to quit. I also apply this to delegation. When I find that I can do more by doing less myself... I will find those who are trustworthy and dependable and who share the same mindset found in Ecclesiastes 9:10. It's how things get done efficiently and effectively.