Delegation is one of the most powerful skills in the workplace, yet it is also one of the most underused. Many managers and employees hesitate to delegate for fear of mistakes, blame, or overloading others. But when done well, delegation frees up time, develops talent, and strengthens organisations.
In this episode of The Better Workday Podcast, Niamh Moynihan breaks down the barriers that stop us from delegating and introduces a simple framework that makes it easier to share responsibility with confidence. From small, everyday tasks to bigger decisions, she explains the six levels of delegation and how to choose the right approach for your team.
00:00 Introduction to Delegation
01:48 Understanding the Importance of Delegation
02:59 Barriers to Effective Delegation
07:11 Levels of Delegation Explained
13:42 Selecting the Right Person for Delegation
16:12 Practical Steps for Successful Delegation
Delegation is not just about freeing up your own time. It is about developing others, strengthening your team, and helping your organisation use its talent more effectively. By learning to delegate, managers and employees alike can focus on the work that adds the most value while also giving others a chance to grow.
But many people resist delegation. Whether it is fear of mistakes, concern about being blamed, or assuming others are too busy, these barriers prevent us from making the most of our time and our team's potential.
Niamh introduces a framework that shows there is more than one way to delegate. The six levels range from highly directive to fully autonomous:
This model helps managers match the task to the right level of responsibility and support, reducing the all-or-nothing thinking that often holds people back from delegating.
Effective delegation also depends on choosing wisely. Niamh highlights the importance of considering:
Team dynamics and workload balance, to ensure fairness.
She suggests bringing your list of potential tasks to the team, inviting their input, and exploring who might be interested in taking them on, rather than making the decision in isolation.
Blog - The Delegation Advantage
Learn about the Effective Delegation webinar
Welcome to The Better Workday Podcast with your host, Niamh Moynihan. Niamh is the founder of Better Workday. She will challenge you to think differently about how you manage your time, energy, attention and relationships at work to be successful while supporting your well-being.
In each episode, Niamh shares new insights and practical ideas to help you create a better workday.
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or colleague who might also benefit from these tips. If you would like to support the podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.
The Better Workday Podcast on Spotify
The Better Workday Podcast on Apple Podcasts