Delegation Detox

Why do managers hold on to work?

Mostly because holding on works, in the short term. You’re quicker, you know how it should look, and nobody has to wait. The cost arrives later: your week fills up, your team stops stretching, and decisions queue behind you.

The hardest work to hand over is usually the work you enjoy. Handing over a task you dislike is easy. Handing over one you’re proud of is the real test.

Take Delegation Detox: twelve questions, about three minutes. Answer for the last month, not a good week.

What are the four delegation leaks?

• Taking work back. You redo or reclaim work because it’s quicker.
• Approving everything. Work waits for your sign-off before it can move.
• Holding the context. The why lives with you, so people keep coming back to ask.
• Rescuing. You step in before people have had a proper go.

What do I get at the end?

A delegation score out of 100 and your top three leaks, heaviest first, each with one thing to try on Monday. For example: before your next hand-over, write three lines covering the goal, what good looks like, and what not to worry about. The score bands are “Doing it all” (below 40), “Holding on in places” (40 to 69) and “Handing it over” (70 and above).

The questions, scoring and advice are a draft written with AI and are waiting for a coach’s review.

What should I read or take next?

Read why managers struggle to delegate for where each leak comes from. If people keep bringing you problems, read why new managers give answers too fast. The 42 Test shows whether you lean towards Solve or Grow, which is the habit underneath most delegation leaks. More tools for this stage are on the new managers page.