Ask HN: How do I delegate?

3 points·quizbiz··6 comments

I have reached the point where I recognize that I am trying to do too much. And I spend more time thinking about what needs to be done first rather than acting.

I am not a control freak, I just don't know how to connect with people I can outsource specific projects.

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One good strategy is to break the tasks down into categories, and automatically delegate all tasks in that category to a certain person. For instance, you could assign someone to be the PR person, and automatically delegate any issues with customers to them. That way, people start to specialize in a certain area, and you don't need to worry about who is best to deal with it. Just make sure those people are aware that from time to time, when you deem a certain issue important, you may step in and do it yourself.

Are you asking how to manage direct reports, or how to go about finding someone to farm tasks off to in the first place?

I think you're asking the latter, but I'm not 100% sure.

It's a two-part problem. First is finding the right people to delegate the tasks to. Second is to define the tasks, assign them, then evaluate the result.

What kind of arrangement do you have though? Do you have employees? Are you assigning things to co-founders? outsourcing to another firm?

I'll let the community field this one.

looks like I'll have someone else take care of the jokes from now on.

you just have to learn how to delegate

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