Delegation is a leadership must. It provides empowerment and ownership to those on our team. Delegation is not passing off unwanted chores. Rather, it takes place when a leader empowers the right person to accomplish a significant task with the appropriate direction, support, and accountability.
Here are seven benefits to delegation that I’ve learned over the years.
Benefits of Delegation
- Delegation opens opportunities.
No one person has all the gifts needed for effective ministry. Leaders who have to have their hands in every facet of ministry will strangle the life out of a team. Delegation gives people the opportunity to use their gifts, training, skills, and experiences in significant ways.
- Delegation provides an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Having the responsibility of a significant task and the accountability of a team stretches us spiritually. When we know others are depending on us, we depend more on God.
- Delegation provides an opportunity to develop skills.
No person has perfectly honed skills (although many people think they do). There is always room to develop. Delegation, done right, challenges people to grow and gives them the room to do so.
- Delegation produces teamness throughout ministry.
After all the vision casting and inspiring speeches are over, people don’t get on board unless they have a dog in the race. Delegation turns critical spectators (yes, even those on our teams can be critical spectators) into producing players.
- Delegation expands the impact of ministry.
At the end of the day, the impact of ministry is dependent upon the breadth of the team. If you are a team of one (in reality or practice) your ministry will be stifled by you.
- Delegation expands ownership in a ministry.
An effective team does not have members; it has stakeholders. Members are like fans in the stands. Stakeholders are players on the field. They understand their attitude and production impacts the whole team and the outcome of the game.
- Delegation shows trust.
Trust is essential for effective delegation. When I don’t trust a person or when I feel like I have lost trust in a person, I can’t give them significant tasks. If I do, I will constantly be meddling in their work. Delegation doesn’t work unless there is mutual trust. People who know they have the leaders trust also has the freedom exceed expectations.