Many ambitious professionals aspire to leadership roles. However, leading a team brings new challenges. You are given greater responsibility and, in the process, must learn to let go and delegate certain things. Christophe Paquay, senior manager at international recruitment firm Robert Walters, shares valuable tips for new managers who want to master the art of delegation.
Have you recently been promoted to a managerial role within your team? The transition to a leadership position can be difficult, especially when it comes to delegating your old tasks to colleagues. Christophe: "In the beginning, you will feel the urge to keep doing as much as possible yourself, that's perfectly natural. However, letting go of certain responsibilities is crucial to effective management. The time you gain from this can be spent on your new responsibilities, which ultimately benefits the entire team."
Whether you're new to a team or have been promoted within your current team, it's essential to have a clear picture of each team member's duties and responsibilities. "Create a list or inventory that clearly states what tasks each member of the team is working on. Be sure to include your own set of tasks as well. With this overview, you can work out an efficient division of tasks. Schedule face-to-face meetings with your team members on a regular basis to hear what they are working on. Do not forget to take the occasional pulse on how they feel about the division of tasks in the team," Christophe adds.
After drawing up the division of tasks, working out a plan for the coming months is the next strategic step for new managers. Designate a person responsible for each task, taking into account your team members' strengths and weaknesses as much as possible," Christophe advises. " Does a certain task happen to lie outside a team member's comfort zone? Then don't immediately shift the responsibility to someone else, but encourage your team member in this challenge and make yourself available for help. This will boost the employee's motivation and create a positive working atmosphere."
Enthusiasm and ambition are good qualities, especially for managers. However, ambition should not spill over into perfectionism. "It's important to have a realistic attitude in your managerial role," says Christophe. "Demanding too much of yourself or your team members can lead to disappointment and frustration."
As a new manager, you need to understand that there may have been problems before you took on this role, and that dealing with challenges is a learning process for everyone.
Delegation is a necessary skill for managers. Christophe: "I encourage new managers to trust their team, to assign tasks while providing support and training. This leads not only to motivated team members, but also to personal success and satisfaction for the manager."
Download our guide to a new senior leadership role now. See our other tips and advice for a successful career.
We all know that maintaining a good work-life balance is important for your personal health and wellbeing on a professional and personal level. A healthy workplace can allow you to better achieve and exceed performance objectives and therefore have a positive impact on your career. Increasing worklo
Read MoreWorking from home while (small) children request your attention is far from easy. We asked our staff, who are currently working from home 2 days per week, what initiatives they have put in place to manage this as efficiently as possible. Here are their 10 top tips: 1. Create your own workplace Just
Read MoreAlthough they are still under-represented in some key positions, more and more women are using their strengths to push the boundaries of gender equality in order to become real leaders. Robert Walters highlights the inspiring journey of hardworking women to shape their place in society. To highlight
Read MoreCome join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.