Source | www.forbes.com | Kevin Kruse
Are you delegating, or just micromanaging?
Dr. Julian Birkinshaw is a professor of strategy and entrepreneurship as well as the deputy dean for executive education at the London Business School. He’s the author of 15 books. He’s ranked in the thinkers 50 list of the world’s most influential management thinkers. His new book is Mind Tools for Managers: 100 Ways to be a Better Boss.
I recently interviewed Dr. Birkinshaw for the LEADx Leadership Show, where we discussed the secret to effective delegation. (The interview below has been lightly edited for space and clarity.)
Kevin Kruse: Why is delegating so important?
Dr. Julian Birkinshaw: Delegating is the heart of being an effective boss because most of us like to be in control. Most of us like this feeling that “I know exactly what’s going on.” When my boss asks me, I can answer all the difficult questions. The trouble is that if you would know absolutely everything, that means you’re the one doing it. It does not come naturally to us to give work away, to say to a colleague, “Here is an important task. I want you to figure out how to do it.”
