Effective Delegation 5 With The Manager example essay topic

Introduction This paper will attempt to show what skills are necessary for effective delegation, and how the managers of the author's organization uses delegation in his or her management responsibilities. The paper will also attempt to show how delegation could be used more effectively within the four functions of management in that same organization. Through delegation managers combine task responsibilities and the authority needed to carry out tasks in the organization. The author will also discuss some advantages of delegation as well as the issue of poor delegation. Delegation What is delegation? According to Bateman, delegation "is the assignment of authority and responsibility to a subordinate at a lower level".

(Bateman et al, 2004). By delegating to others this frees up the manager to devote more energy to higher-level activities. These activities can be controlling and leading. "Delegation is perhaps the most fundamental feature of management, because it entails getting work done through others". (Bateman et al, 2004). Delegation In A County Jail In a county jail setting there are several types of managers.

These are the jail administrator, the assistant administrator, the county commissioners, the sheriff and his deputies as well as the officers from the local police departments. The management in a county jail setting uses delegation in several ways. One such way occurs when an officer or deputy brings in an inmate for a crime he or she have committed. The officer then delegates the responsibility of getting that inmate to court to the jailer, depending on the seriousness of the crime.

Another way is for management to give the jailers authority to Effective Delegation 3 discipline an inmate for wrong doing. The author also delegated by having her sub-ordinates pass out canteen, commissary, and razors. Canteen and commissary are personal hygiene and snack items that the inmates purchased. The author was delegated to by her manager in the sense she was put in charge of planning monthly meetings and training sessions. Delegation And The Functions of Management In the author's organization there is not much planning or organizing that takes place. The only planning that is done is for the monthly meetings and for all training sessions.

Training has to be scheduled at different times in order for all employees to attend, because all employees can not attend at the same time. If this was to happen the jail would be unguarded. Organizing only takes place when an inmate needs a doctors appointment scheduled or sometimes is granted a special visit. Management leads the sub-ordinates by teaching them the proper policies and procedures. This function coincides with planning, because the training is how the employees are taught.

They are also given a manual which contains all policies as well as state laws that governs the county jails. Controlling takes place because management delegates the authority and responsibility of the inmates to the jailers. The staff controls all the inmates activities to ensure no crime is committed while they are incarcerated. With the use of controlling it can also ensure that there are few (if any) escapes. Although, in this type of business most of the work that is done uses common sense to complete. Skills Necessary For Effective Delegation According to Bateman, there are six skills necessary for effective delegation.

The Effective Delegation 4 first is to define the goal at hand. This step requires that the manager have a clear understanding of what he or she wants to achieve. (Bateman et al, 2004). Secondly, would be to select a person for the job. The manager needs to make sure that this person is capable of performing the task. He or she also needs to make sure the sub-ordinate has a clear understanding of what is to be accomplished.

Third, would be to get the sub-ordinates views about suggested approaches. This step makes the appointed person feel needed and useful as well as feel like his or her opinions matter. Fourth, the sub-ordinate needs to be given the authority, time, and resources to perform the assignment. The fifth step is to to schedule checkpoints for reviewing progress. This is done to make sure everything is on track. To make sure that no one is slacking off.

The final step is for the manager to follow through by discussing progress at appropriate intervals. Delegation is considered a key aspect of leadership. To quote Woodrow Wilson "I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow". (Blair, 1996) This quote effectively describes delegation. Advantages of Delegation There are also some advantages to delegation.

These "positive aspects of delegation include: higher efficiency, increased motivation, develops the skills of your team, and better distribution of work through the group". (Blair, 1996). If there is an increased motivation among the group or team there is an increase in productivity. With the work being more evenly distributed throughout the group, the team is more efficient. Poor Delegation Now the author will discuss signs of poor delegation. The first sign is team motivation or morale is down.

If a member of the group has no motivation to work either Effective Delegation 5 with the manager or the rest of the team it is usually a good sign that morale is low. The second sign is the manager is always working late. In these instances the manager feels that only he or she can get the job done properly. The third sign of poor delegation is the team is confused, conflicting, or tense. This occurs when the task is not clearly defined. The fourth and final sign is the manager gets questions about delegated tasks too often.

This is another clear indication that the task at hand was not explained clearly. (Blair, 1996) Conclusion In conclusion, "delegation underpins a style of management which allows your staff to use and develop their skills and knowledge to the full potential". (Blair, 1996). The main objective of delegation is to get the job done by someone else.

However, if the job does not get done properly then the manager is held accountable. In a county jail setting, delegation needs to be strictly monitored to ensure the proper running of the facility as well as the safety of the jailers and inmates. If a person wants to be a good leader, that person needs to be able to delegate effectively. Effective Delegation 6

Bibliography

Bateman, T., & Snell, S. (2004).
Management: the new competitive landscape. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill / Irwin. Blair, G. (1996).
Retrieved Apr. 12, 2005, from web delegate.