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Why It’s So Hard to Delegate — and How to Improve

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Why It’s So Hard to Delegate — and How to Improve

HBR IdeaCast

2025/09/02
HBR IdeaCast

HBR IdeaCast

2025/09/02
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

At every stage of leadership, it's important to hand some tasks and even decisions off to team members to foster their development and free up your time for higher level work. But even seasoned bosses often have trouble effectively delegating. Elsbeth John...

Highlights

Delegation is a critical leadership skill, yet many struggle with it despite its importance for team development and organizational success. This podcast delves into the common psychological, structural, and cultural barriers that prevent effective delegation. Through expert insights and practical strategies, the discussion offers leaders a roadmap to overcome these challenges and empower their teams more effectively.
03:05
Not delegating denies growth opportunities for junior employees.
06:41
Leaders should ask if they are the best, cheapest person for the work.
15:59
Start with small, low-risk tasks to help bosses and clients get comfortable with less involvement.
22:27
A bespoke 360 survey helps identify delegation issues at all leadership levels.
25:53
Leaders should audit their workload, identify their unique contributions, and delegate tasks based on individual strengths and development needs.

Chapters

Why Leaders Struggle to Let Go of Control
00:00
Recognizing the Hidden Costs of Poor Delegation
06:41
Breaking the Habit of Doing It All Yourself
13:06
Fixing Systems That Discourage Delegation
19:13
Building a Culture Where Delegation Thrives
25:53

Transcript

Alison Beard: I'm Alison Beard. Adi Ignatius: And I'm Adi Ignatius, and this is the HBR IdeaCast. Alison Beard: So Adi, one thing that I think almost every leader struggles with is delegation, particularly if you have risen through the ranks because you ...