I believe that an important component of business growth and future business survival is proper delegation. So many rental business owners are micromanaging instead of empowering their employees with substantive, higher level duties.
Up to a certain point in a company’s existence, it's often necessary and wise to micromanage. Sometimes, however, rental business owners continue to micromanage their companies far beyond the early, formative years. Micromanaging can then become one of the biggest obstacles to rental business growth and survival.
When higher level duties are not delegated, it's unlikely that employees with tremendous potential will see their positions at rental companies as anything more than temporary gigs. Is it any wonder that people with good potential move on?
It just isn’t wise for the person at the top to be bogged down with the mountain of day-to-day minutia that some rental business owners are personally dealing with now. The volume of all of this mental clutter could be keeping you from pursuing business development activities that require a significant investment of your time and mental energy. These business development activities are essential to take a company to a much higher level of growth and profitability.
Many rental companies have reached a level where micromanagement seriously stifles their growth and profitability. It's vitally important to have someone to whom you can delegate a wide variety of tasks. Just think of the unbelievably wide assortment of tasks you take upon yourself. Also think of the amount of mental energy you expend on a daily basis just to track and manage your present duties. You know that it doesn’t make any sense for you to be dealing with all of these duties.
Properly delegating both lower level and higher level duties to a key person and having the confidence that these duties will be accomplished in a consistent, efficient and quality fashion is more impactful than most rental business operators can imagine. In fact, some of you who have been beating your head against a stone wall for years might have a very difficult time believing that this nirvana is even possible. Be sure to have a qualified rental business consultant assist in making it a reality.
Tips for delegating effectively
This is a very big and important topic but here are a few other key points to consider:
- The key “go to” person will need to learn the principles of delegation and be well trained to follow through. The person to whom you will be delegating must fully grasp and embrace the concept that it's not only critically important that the big tasks and projects get accomplished, but also the small ones as well.
- Be certain that the key person has a very positive attitude and is eager to take on any and all tasks that are delegated. It's mentally and physically draining to consistently feel like you need to convince someone to do something that you need. No wonder some of you feel like it's easier just to do everything yourself.
- If you attempt to hire a person for this position, keep in mind the chances of finding someone with all the qualities and skills needed are slim, so have a qualified trainer give the new hire the proper education. It's possible that an existing staff member could be suited for the higher level delegation position and might be eager for the challenge, training and responsibility.
- The company owner and other supervisors will need training to become competent in the skillful use of delegation as well. Proper delegation isn’t just asking someone to do something.
Let it go
It's tough to condition yourself to let go, even after you develop a very prepared and capable person.
So, if you are one of those rental business owners who is too involved in day-to-day operations instead of developing new opportunities for growth and survival, it might be time to make this important change. Micromanaging and not training supervisors in proper delegation makes it more likely employees will not be able to adapt to the business challenges that are sure to come.
