Delegation often goes hand in hand with trust and empowerment. However, leaders who struggle with entrusting tasks to unproven teams or in unfamiliar territories may find this challenging. In the world of startups, where time is precious, it’s crucial to optimize your team and resources, even in uncharted territories.

I propose an alternative perspective on delegation, focusing on risk and priority.

🔍 Understand Your Why:

Start with intention. Ask yourself why delegation is important to you, beyond what you “should” do for your team. Chances are, you have bigger goals to achieve and there are experts on your team who can do certain tasks better or with more enthusiasm.

⏳ Anchor to Time:

Recognize that time is your most inflexible constraint. Startups face the perpetual challenge of not having enough capacity to accomplish everything. By acknowledging the scarcity of time, you can make other aspects of your work more flexible, including the process, timeline, and project owner.

📃 Rank Tasks by Risk:

Craft and order a priority list based on urgency, importance, and risk. By understanding potential risks, you can allocate your time and attention more effectively.

⚠️ Allocate the Tolerable Margin of Error:

Realistically assess the risks. Explore Tim Ferriss’s Fear Setting technique to develop strategies to prevent or repair potential damages. Consider the level of risk you are willing to make for greater gains, especially with clear mitigation strategies in place. 

💎 Safeguard the Highest Risk Items:

Attempting to maintain control over every task is neither feasible nor efficient. Instead, channel your energy into safeguarding the highest-risk, high-priority items. By ensuring they receive the necessary attention and expertise, you create a safety net for critical areas, enabling you to delegate with confidence.

🔮 Set Clear Expectations:

Define how and when you will receive updates, such as progress reports, check-in meetings, or using a project management tool. Create a streamlined communication process that keeps you informed without micromanaging. Reciprocate by communicating the level of autonomy your team possesses, empowering them to make decisions and take ownership while keeping the approval guidelines clear.

📈 Start Small and Grow from There:

Approach this process as an iterative experiment. Conduct regular retrospectives to evaluate what worked or didn’t work. Seek feedback from your team on the process and what they would like more or less of. Cultivate a supportive environment where mistakes are viewed as stepping stones for growth. 

Delegation isn’t solely about trust; it’s about understanding risk, setting priorities, and implementing safeguards. By anchoring on time as an inflexible constraint, prioritizing tasks based on risk, and safeguarding the highest-risk items, you can delegate more efficiently.