How to delegate

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Mar 24, 2025

Are you overwhelmed by tasks that others could tackle? Discover a transformative delegation framework that helps leaders reclaim their time. Explore the nine levels of delegation, emphasizing clarity and tailored approaches based on task complexity. Learn how cultural factors influence delegation dynamics and how to progressively develop your team's skills. Plus, take on a challenge to clarify your delegation style in your upcoming conversations. Transform your leadership and boost your team's confidence!

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ADVICE

Effective Delegation

Instead of working harder or longer, delegate more effectively.
Use intentional delegation that matches the right level for each situation.

INSIGHT

Nine Levels of Delegation

The nine levels of delegation, developed by Tim Brighouse, offer a clear spectrum.
This ranges from no delegation to complete handover of responsibility.

ADVICE

Delegation Control

Shane Leaning often operated at lower delegation levels (1-4) due to politeness and control preferences.
This often led to incomplete tasks or corrections, highlighting the importance of clear delegation from the start.

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Have you ever found yourself drowning in tasks that others could do, but somehow you're still doing them yourself? Today, Shane Leaning shares a framework that completely transformed how he delegates - and might give you back hours of your week.

In this episode, Shane explores the nine levels of delegation developed by the late Tim Brighouse, a renowned British educationalist. This framework provides a clear spectrum from essentially no delegation to complete handover of responsibility.

Key Insights:

Most leaders default to lower levels of delegation due to habits, politeness, or control preferences
Clarity is crucial - most delegation problems stem from unclear expectations
Match your delegation approach to both the task complexity and the person's experience
Cultural differences significantly impact how delegation is received and should be considered
Progressive delegation can develop team members' skills and confidence over time
The same person might handle different tasks at different delegation levels depending on context

Challenge:

Try being explicitly clear about your delegation level in at least three conversations next week. Use the framework and see what happens when you're transparent about expectations.

Episode Partner

The International Curriculum Association: Learn more

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.

About the host

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chart-topping school leadership podcast, Education Leaders. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

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