How to learn to let go

It’s not easy to delegate work if you’re uncertain it will meet client expectations. After all, you may think, you have the history and knowledge with the client that helps informs how far to go on a project and how to communicate to them. You might not be able to download everything you know to someone else, but there are some effective strategies to ensure the job is done right.

First, provide your teammate the Cliffs Note version of what’s important to the client, based on your history. Include insights into the client’s personality, what they like and don’t like, and past problems and successes that would be good to know. 

Second, take the time to succinctly describe what you want back from your teammate. You don’t want to micromanage a task, but define your desired outcomes in the form of the commander’s intent, a term the military uses to provide guidance to the troops prior to battle. When everyone on the battlefield knows the commander’s intent, or essential elements of success, they can make their own decisions that contribute to the overall operation. 

The commander’s intent for a project might include:

• Specific deliverables and format (e.g., in triplicate, includes table of contents, has been proofread, etc.)
• Budget or allotted amount of hours for their portion
• Due date for your review

Provide past examples of work product for the client or similar clients and point out specific requirements and why it’s important to follow them. They need to have the same information you have to successfully complete the work to the client’s expectations.

If you review work that isn’t done the way you like to see it, but fits the commander’s intent, let go of your need to take it back and change it. You’ll only frustrate staff who are doing what you asked in the commander’s intent and want to be authors of their own work.

When your staff knows the parameters of a successful task and the important background with the client, they can use their creativity and judgment to get the job done to everyone’s satisfaction.