The process of allowing your subordinates to complete a part of the task which the supervisor or manager formerly performed is termed as delegation. The degree of delegation may vary. An example of delegation might include employees to carry out research for new product development purposes and then be answerable to their supervisor who then has the final say.
Delegation if done correctly can prove to be very fruitful. One of the greatest benefits for employees is that it gives them a feeling of belongingness towards the company. This results in positive citizenship behavior for the organization. Furthermore, it increases motivation as it allows employees to be more active participants in the company. The sense of teamwork can yield better results as it is extremely important for employees to have a positive attitude towards their work since they operate in a highly competitive environment. But if the employees are not clear with what is expected out of them then they might end up doing the correct job which can be dissatisfying. It can also lead to employees having a lower self-esteem especially if they are not trained enough to undertake the particular task. (Bob Ramsey)
Supervisors can concentrate on more important tasks if they are able to delegate effectively. This leads to greater workplace efficiency as supervisors are able to get more work done from their subordinates rather than taking everything upon themselves. It even allows for subordinates to be trained without undergoing formal training programs. As these employees are promoted in the future they get better first-hand experience and this reflects positively upon the supervisor. However, as the supervisors are mostly held accountable for the final decision it may have a negative impact upon their image if something goes wrong. The work may have to be duplicated if employees do not reach the expectations which leads to a wastage of resources.
References
Bob Ramsey Seminars. (n.d.). Bob Ramsey Seminars. Retrieved January 14, 2014, from http://bobramseyseminars.com/2011/02/01/delegating-pros-and-cons/
Delegation Examples That Develop Management Skills. (n.d.). Brighthub Project Management. Retrieved January 14, 2014, from http://www.brighthubpm.com/resource-management/85926-examples-of-effective-delegation/
