Effective Delegation

Effective Delegation

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 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...

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...n 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.

References

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 www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/MENG/ME96/Documents/Aspects/ delegate.htm