What makes it so hard to delegate?

Construction workers live in the real world, where everything can be seen, heard, felt, tasted, and sometimes smelled. They can look around and see evidence of their activities. Their long-term time horizon in years past was two weeks, which is why most payrolls are paid every two weeks. With the variety of check cashing and payday loan outlets, their long-term time horizon has been replaced with now and right now!

Construction company owners work in an intangible and imaginary world where nothing is real or solid. Nothing in this part of their world can be perceived with any of your five senses: Sight, Sound, Feel, Taste or Smell. Your long-term time horizon is between 30 days and one year, depending on the size and complexity of your construction projects.

Construction company owners have to make 100's if not 1,000's of decisions every day with whatever limited information is available. As a construction company owner, you have to decide on Marketing Strategies, Accounting Strategies, and Production Strategies.

The decision on which market to pursue is only the beginning. Once the decision has been made on which market to follow, you have to decide which subset of that market: New, Remodel, or Service & Repair. Each strategy needs very different construction workers, Caveman, Cowboy, and Shoe Salesman. Put the wrong worker in the wrong environment, and you could see for yourself what happens when a Bull gets loose in a china shop and it is not pretty!

Here are six strategies to help you improve your delegation skills. 

1. Know when to delegate

You may have to begin by delegating small, low-stakes tasks, especially if delegation makes you uncomfortable. If you're like many people, you hold onto as many tasks as possible and only begin delegating once you feel too busy or worn out to take on another thing. It's good to get used to delegating before you become burned out, so you can more appropriately and effectively choose which tasks should be handed off to others. 

Here are questions to ask before you delegate:

• Is it vital that you do the task yourself (be honest about this–do you have to be the person to take this on)?
• Is there someone else who has the relevant skills, experience, or interests to take it on?
• Is there someone else keen to do it?
• Do you have time to give detailed information about the task?
• Are you available to monitor progress?

2. Match the task to the appropriate person

Often, construction business owners delegate a task by finding someone who has time to do it. Just as you have your strengths, so do your team members. When you charge, make sure to consider the person who is most suited to it based on their skills, level of knowledge or experience, and interests. Unless necessary, don't push someone into a task they have no experience or interest in. 

You may understand what needs to be done, but your team may not. Spend time with those involved to ensure they're on board as well. They need to know the goals or objectives, how the task is accomplished, what success looks like, and your expectations.

4. Communicate openly

Leave room for your team members to come back with questions or concerns. Follow up with them yourself to see how they're progressing and what support they need. Address any challenges they have and celebrate their successes. If there are milestones or delivery deadlines, check periodically to ensure all activities are still on track. 

Where possible, avoid taking a task back. It's tempting to step in when they encounter an obstacle, especially when an activity is time-sensitive. Instead, coach your team members through their challenges. Make sure they have the support and knowledge needed to complete their task. Taking a task back prevents them from learning or growing.

When you delegate, it's essential to follow up with constructive feedback that celebrates what worked well and provides insights for improvement. Be prepared to accept input. Your team might have ideas about how the activity could have gone more smoothly–perhaps with more thorough instructions or by delegating to someone else. 

Delegating tasks to others is a great way to help them develop their skills and knowledge while taking responsibility off your hands. If delegation is difficult for you, it's worthwhile to consider what's holding you back and work to overcome your hesitations. 

Final thoughts

What would it be if you could only do one thing all day long that would contribute the most value? As a construction company owner, continue to upgrade your management skill sets and groom subordinates to replace yourself. It is important to do the work that you are worth. DO fewer things, get better and better at them, get exceptional results, delegate, and ignore all else.

About The Author:

Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com

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