When it comes to taking on a management position, there are several tasks that you end up being responsible for. As a dental office manager, you deal with reconciliation, social media accounts, patient treatment and planning, and many more tasks.
Truthfully, there really aren’t enough hours in the day to dedicate to each task without something being neglected somewhere. While we want to tell ourselves and everyone else that we can handle everything, be sure to ask yourself:
Are we focusing too much on one role and not enough on another?
Are we effectively completing all of our tasks?
In order to not spread yourself too thin, it is important to delegate smaller tasks to other team members when you are struggling to get everything done in the amount of time you have available.
Why is it Important to Delegate?
As a manager, your plate is always full. Sometimes, more than full even. It can feel like you need to handle everything yourself. You’re the manager, after all. One of the signs of good leadership is knowing when it is time to delegate certain tasks to trusted employees and freelancers.
As long as you have a strong team and can delegate properly, there is no goal you can’t meet. There are six steps to making this work.
Effective Delegation Steps
Step 1. Clearly Define the Goal
One of the most important things you can do is clearly outline your goal and relay the importance to your team. Telling them why you are creating the tasks, why they are important, and how each member can help will create a sense of value and they are more likely to work harder and be more committed to the common goal of the team.
Step 2. Decide Who Will Handle the Tasks
Whatever the goal may be, next you will need to decide who to delegate tasks to. Keep in mind what responsibilities each person is already carrying so you don’t give them too much work.
You may decide that you want to have someone help out that wants to learn a new skill. Taking a look at who can be cross-trained not only grows skill sets, but it also gives you more people that are knowledgeable and can help you in the future.
Step 3. Discuss the Employee’s Feelings About Their Potential Tasks
When it comes to delegation, it’s important to ensure that the employee taking on the task is fully aware of your expectations and that they understand what you are asking of them. Be sure to let them ask questions if needed.
Step 4. Provide the Time, Authority, and Resources to be Successful
Once you give the responsibility away, it is important to provide a reasonable deadline, as well as all resources needed to complete the task. Deadlines are crucial because they clearly provide your expectations.
Step 5. Check-in Regularly and Discuss Progress
While you may trust that your employees know what they are doing, it is a great idea to check in with them regularly so you are aware of their progress. Discuss how the project is going and be sure to let them know they did a great job and that you appreciate their help when completed.
If you found this information helpful, consider joining Stynt. You can fill out this form and gain access to endless freelance dental positions in the current gig economy. Stynt provides information helpful for all dental professions.
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