Effective management through delegation

Management is concerned with the pulling together of resources so that jobs are done efficiently and objectives are met within the time‐scale laid down. Of prime importance among those resources are the people involved – effective management of people is essential if we are to take full advantage of their skills and aptitudes. It is not just a question of using skills and aptitudes for the benefit of the firm but also of providing encouragement and motivation for the people concerned (which maintains the benefit to the firm in the longer term). One way of providing encouragement is by showing trust through delegation. Effective delegation provides benefits in both directions. It is up to the supervisor or manager concerned to pay very close regard to the abilities, strengths and weaknesses of his or her staff and allocate work to them accordingly. To get through the work the staff also must have the appropriate authority and so the manager must delegate it. It is in this activity that the manager is exercising one of his or her most important functions.