Some nonprofit executives try to control as much as they can. But micromanagement isn’t conducive to creating an effective team. If this sounds like you, there’s a better approach: delegate. By embracing delegation, you can make the job of managing a nonprofit easier and more fulfilling — for both you and your employees.

Hands off

Executives should devote their time to the projects that are the most valuable to their organization and that can best benefit from their talents. For example, public speaking engagements and meetings with major donors are probably best left to you and other upper-level executives. On the other hand, tasks that frequently recur, such as sending membership renewal notices, and jobs that require a specific skill in which you have minimal or no expertise, such as reconciling bank accounts, are prime delegation targets.

Before you delegate a task to an employee, consider the person’s main job responsibilities and experience and how they correlate with the project. At the same time, keep in mind that employees may welcome new learning opportunities to test their wings in a new area or take on greater responsibility. Before assigning new tasks, check staffers’ schedules to confirm that they actually have time to do the job well.

Be flexible

When handing off a task, be clear about goals, expectations, deadlines and details. Explain why you chose the individual and what the project means to the organization as a whole. Also let employees know if they have any latitude to bring their own methods and processes to the task. Don’t be tempted to micromanage a delegated task. Instead, try to give staffers flexibility. After all, a fresh pair of eyes might see new and better ways to accomplish the job.



However, delegation doesn’t mean dumping a project on someone and then walking away. Ultimately, you’re responsible for the task’s completion, even if you assign it to someone else. So, stay involved by monitoring the employee’s progress and providing coaching and constructive feedback as necessary.

Leverage talent

Ideally, delegation gives executives the time to leverage their specific talents to focus on mission-critical tasks. But don’t rush the process. Match each project with the staffer most capable of handling it. When done well, delegating can help your organization with improved efficiency and productivity.