Here's how you can empower team members by delegating decision-making authority.
Empowering your team through delegation is a critical skill in product management. It's about striking the right balance between guidance and autonomy, ensuring that team members have the authority to make decisions that affect their work. As a product manager, you understand the importance of ownership and trust. By delegating decision-making, you not only free up your own time for strategic thinking but also foster a culture of accountability and growth within your team. Let's dive into how you can effectively pass the baton of decision-making to your team members, enhancing their skills and driving your product's success.
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Sumit DhamijaSr. Delivery Manager at Trantor | Career Advisor on LinkedIn | Salesforce Trailblazer | Blogger
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Sviatoslav Khovaev🚀Product Manager (9+years) | Mobile & Web | B2C, B2B, Fintech, AI | ex-Yandex, ex-Xsolla
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Arnav C.Technical Product Leadership [Customer Experience, Trusted Experience, AI/ML implementation]
Building trust is the cornerstone of effective delegation. Start by sharing your vision and objectives with your team, making sure everyone understands the bigger picture. This transparency creates a foundation of mutual respect. Then, identify which decisions you can delegate and communicate your confidence in your team's abilities. Gradually increase their responsibilities as they demonstrate competence. Remember, trust is a two-way street; show that you trust your team, and they will trust you to support them in their decisions.
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Building trust within a team is essential for effective delegation and fostering a collaborative work environment. Here are some insights to help leaders build trust through delegation: - Start by clearly articulating your vision, goals, and objectives to your team members. - Ensure everyone understands the bigger picture and how their roles contribute to the overall success of the project or organization. - Create an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable expressing themselves. - Identify decisions that can be delegated to team members based on their expertise, skills, and capabilities. - Ensure that your team members have the necessary resources, tools, and training to carry out their delegated tasks effectively.
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Empowering team members through delegation entails fostering trust and clear communication. Begin by articulating your vision and goals, fostering transparency to cultivate mutual respect. Delegate decisions gradually, showcasing faith in your team's capabilities while providing support when needed. Trust is reciprocal; demonstrate confidence in your team, and they'll reciprocate by trusting you to guide and support their decisions.
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You should share the vision of the product and its objectives during the planning process. I always share the draft of my OKR with my team. This builds trust, I get useful feedback and finally team is prepared for future challenges. When the team members know our objectives they focus on achieving them. I can delegate each task completely and be sure that they will do their best to complete it in the way that drives us towards the objective.
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Building trust in the team creates more intimacy. This intimacy increases the responsibility of team members. When team members trust each other and know each other's work, more tasks can be delegated. Delegation means your trust in the responsibility and performance of team members.
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Delegating decision-making power really boosts team confidence. Start by identifying who's ready for more responsibility and match tasks to their strengths. Ensure they have the resources and know-how to tackle decisions effectively. Regular check-ins help, but give them space to own their choices. Acknowledge their efforts and successes, and be supportive when things don't go as planned. This trust builds stronger, more capable teams.
While delegating, it's crucial to define the scope and limits of decision-making authority. Clearly outline which decisions are within your team members' purview and which should escalate to you. Use simple frameworks or flowcharts to illustrate decision boundaries. This clarity will prevent overstepping and ensure that critical decisions align with strategic goals. By setting these parameters, you empower your team to act confidently within a defined space.
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The responsibility should come with resources. You should limit the task scope according to the employee's resources. If you delegate a task completely without giving enough resources that will lead to poor performance, frustrations, and burnout.
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This is what prevents managers delegating the fear of a failure. I start by identifying what’s a one way vs two way decision. One way decision are those that are difficult to roll back without significant impact/cost; two ways decision are easier to reverse. One you identify which decision are which it helps empowering team to start by taking two way decision on their own. That way even if it’s a wrong decision one can easily reverse it . Drawing out this limit is helpful both for the team and you !
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Defining the scope and limits of decision-making authority is essential for effective delegation and ensuring alignment with strategic goals. Here are some insights to help leaders establish clear decision boundaries for their team members: - Create simple decision-making frameworks or flowcharts that outline the types of decisions that can be made by team members at different levels. - Clearly delineate decision boundaries to provide clarity on which decisions can be made autonomously & which require escalation. - Discuss past decisions & their outcomes to highlight the importance of following decision boundaries. - Provide training & development opportunities to enhance team members' decision-making skills.
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There is often a lack of explicit decision-making responsibility. The "Product Ownership Evolution Model" (POEM) was developed from to make it easier to talk about this. First, a self-assessment is carried out by all those involved, in which everyone visualizes their individual view of the current situation and the desired target situation with regard to the decision-making responsibility actually exercised at different ownership levels. The individual perspectives are then placed side by side. A lively exchange and communication about misunderstandings regarding the actual decision-making responsibility begins immediately. POEM is a model that triggers effective communication both within the team and between ICs and product leaders.
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Ao delegar, atente-se em definir o escopo bem como os limites de decisão. Ao executar a tarefa, os membros do time podem se ver em meio a dúvidas, detalhes ou decisões, desta forma, esteja disponível para auxiliar, mesmo que de forma assíncrona. Em minha experiência, já vi situações onde a tarefa foi delega e somente o resultado final era esperado e isso não é o adequado, em alguns casos, pode ser necessário validações intermediárias, maior detalhamento a medida que a pessoa evolui na tarefa e isso não é falta de confiança, isso representa parceria e colaboração em torno de um objetivo comum.
To make informed decisions, your team needs the right tools. Equip them with access to relevant data, analytical tools, and customer insights. Ensure they're trained to use these resources effectively. By doing so, you're not just delegating authority; you're enabling informed decision-making that aligns with product goals. This empowerment leads to better outcomes and a more engaged team.
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I always share analytics access with all team members and show them how to use it. That leads to magnificent results. Each team member started to use analytics in their tasks and became more efficient and motivated. For example, now QA engineer uses analytics to prioritize bugs based on the number of users that might be affected. Developers at the same time are checking the use of the new features that they've developed.
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Empowering your team with the right tools and resources is essential for informed decision-making and achieving product goals. Here are some insights to equip your team effectively: - Invest in data analytics tools and platforms that enable team members to analyze data effectively & derive actionable insights. - Provide comprehensive training & skill development programs to ensure that team members are proficient in using data & analytics tools. - Foster direct engagement with customers through surveys, focus groups, user interviews, & feedback mechanisms. - Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making, where insights and evidence guide strategy & execution. - Ensure clear communication channels are in place for sharing data & insights.
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Para tomada de decisões em tarefas que você delegou, atente-se a sinalizar o que você identificou até o momento de acordo com sua experiência. O que você já avaliou, pontos de atenção, ferramentas analíticas e insights do cliente. Confirme com o time se o entendimento foi efetivo, se eles sabem usar as ferramentas, oriente-os se necessário. Tomada de decisões adequadas só serão possíveis se houver esse compartilhamento de informações para que a avaliação possa continuar a partir de um ponto e não recomeçar sempre, gerando retrabalho. O compartilhamento de informações é fundamental para conseguir melhores resultados e manter o engajamento do time para o atingimento das metas do produto.
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To truly empower team members through delegated decision-making, it's essential to provide them with the necessary resources and skills. Equipping them with access to data, analytical tools, and customer insights enables informed choices aligned with product objectives. However, fostering a culture that values autonomy and encourages experimentation is equally vital. When team members feel supported and encouraged to take ownership of decisions, they become more invested in the outcomes and contribute to a more dynamic and innovative workplace.
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Empowering your team with the right tools is crucial for driving success in product management. I've seen firsthand the impact of equipping my team with access to cutting-edge tools like JIRA, Confluence, and ChatGPT. These resources not only provide valuable insights and data but also foster a culture of informed decision-making. By ensuring that my team is proficient in utilizing these tools, we're able to align our efforts with product goals more effectively, leading to better outcomes and a highly engaged team. It's not just about delegating authority; it's about enabling and empowering every team member to contribute to our shared success.
Encourage your team to take ownership of their decisions. This means allowing them to lead projects, take responsibility for outcomes, and learn from their experiences. Ownership fosters a sense of pride and investment in the work, driving motivation and innovation. When team members feel like they are truly contributing to the product's success, their commitment and performance improve significantly.
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I’m a strong advocate for encouraging self-management within an Agile team, as it usually leads to a noticeable increase in commitment and responsibility. For example, during a typical sprint, the development team works autonomously, ideally with a Scrum Master acting as a coach. They exercise full ownership by deciding the work to be done, who works on each task, what tools are necessary to get the job done, and determining if any precautions need to be made to ensure quality results.
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Encouraging your team to take ownership of their decisions is crucial for fostering a culture of accountability, empowerment, and innovation. Here are some insights to promote ownership among team members: - Delegate authority and decision-making responsibility to individual team members based on their skills, expertise, and areas of interest. - Establish clear and measurable goals and objectives for each project or task, outlining the desired outcomes & success criteria. - Offer guidance, support, & mentorship to help team members navigate challenges and overcome obstacles encountered during project execution. - Hold team members accountable for their decisions and actions, encouraging them to take ownership of both successes & failures.
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Encoraje sua equipe a tomar decisões, inicialmente, eles precisarão mais de você, mas com o tempo, eles desenvolverão habilidades, conhecimento para que possam atuar de forma autônoma. Incentivar a preocupação em atingir os resultados, aprender com seus erros, avaliar o que deu certo e o que não foi conforme o esperado é um super aprendizado e evolução dos membros do time. Quando o time sente que está colaborando com o sucesso do produto e não somente realizando uma tarefa solicitada, o comprometimento e novos insights ficam evidentes.
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Help build a sense of ownership and accountability among team members by involving them in the decision-making process from the outset. Encourage them to take initiative, propose solutions, and challenge the status quo when necessary. Celebrate their successes and recognise their contributions to the team's goals. When mistakes happen, treat them as learning opportunities and provide constructive feedback to help team members grow and improve. A culture of innovation and continuous improvement can be developed by taking this approach, and both of those attributes are very important to the ongoing success of the business (and happiness of its people).
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Be less protective over handing out ownership. You'd be surprised to learn that many of your colleagues will find great ways within their work to use it wisely. Whether it be splitting or delegating small bits of technical work, or design. This act fosters a sense of pride in the work that's being done and builds trust.
Even with delegated authority, your team will need your support. Be available for guidance and feedback without micromanaging. Create an environment where it's safe to ask questions and make mistakes. This supportive approach will help your team members grow in their roles and feel secure in their decision-making capabilities. Your role is to be a mentor, not a gatekeeper.
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Supporting your team while delegating authority is crucial for their growth and development. Here are some ways to provide support without micromanaging: - Make yourself accessible to your team members for guidance, support, and feedback. - Offer constructive feedback and coaching to help them navigate complex situations and make informed decisions. - Empower your team members to take initiative and ownership of their work without constant oversight. - Foster a culture of psychological safety where team members feel comfortable asking questions, seeking clarification, and admitting mistakes. - Resist the urge to micromanage or second-guess their decisions, allowing them the freedom to execute tasks in their own way.
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Delegating decision-making authority is crucial for empowering team members, but it's equally essential to provide ongoing support. While granting autonomy, remain accessible for guidance and feedback, fostering an environment of trust where questions are encouraged and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. This supportive stance nurtures individual growth and confidence in decision-making. Remember, your role transcends mere delegation; you're a mentor guiding their journey, not a gatekeeper controlling their actions.
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Delegar es distinto de desentenderte y eso es un error muy común. - Aunque se delege tiene que haber un espacio de comunicación abierta para dudas o preocupaciones. - Es crucial que haya un entorno seguro y de confianza, donde el equipo valore la transparencia y la honestidad. - Normalizar los errores pues son parte de un proceso de aprendizaje, usarlos para enseñar y no para castigar. - Valorar los esfuerzos y predisposición, no solo los resultados. - Ser ejemplo de como manejar las acciones y la toma de decisiones
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Provide ongoing support and guidance to team members as they navigate the decision-making process. Make yourself available for questions, feedback, and coaching to help them build confidence and expertise. Encourage open communication and create a safe space for team members to share their concerns or challenges. Regularly check in with team members to assess their progress and provide additional resources or support as needed.
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Provide constructive feedback and recognition to team members for their decision-making efforts, regardless of the outcome. Acknowledge their contributions, celebrate successes, and offer support in addressing challenges or areas for improvement.
Regularly review the outcomes of delegated decisions with your team. Discuss what's working and what isn't, and use these discussions as learning opportunities. This review process is not about pointing fingers but about continuous improvement and reinforcing good decision-making practices. By analyzing decisions together, you'll help your team refine their judgment and become more effective decision-makers.
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Delegating decision-making authority empowers team members by fostering accountability and skill development. Regularly reviewing delegated decisions allows for collective reflection and learning. Rather than assigning blame, these discussions serve as opportunities for growth, reinforcing effective decision-making practices. Analyzing decisions together promotes a culture of continuous improvement, enabling team members to refine their judgment and enhance their effectiveness in making decisions.
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Regularly review the outcomes of delegated decisions to assess their effectiveness and impact. Use this feedback to refine your delegation approach and make adjustments as needed.
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Regularly review and evaluate the outcomes of delegated decisions to assess their effectiveness and impact. Provide constructive feedback and guidance to help team members learn and grow from their experiences, and adjust decision-making processes as needed to optimize results.
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Como decía antes, delegar no es desentenderte. - establecer reuniones de revisión, periodicas para ver el avance y poder resolver dudas y propiciar una comunicación abierta. - Análisis de decisiones y resultados siempre desde un enfoque de aprendizaje y constructivo
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When delegating tasks, it's important to set clear expectations. This means defining success and failure criteria objectively and avoiding subjective assessments. Furthermore, it's crucial to keep communication open, allowing individuals to share progress, obstacles, or setbacks freely. Equally important is being available to provide support and assistance when needed. Additionally, offering constructive feedback for mistakes or failures helps individuals learn and improve. It's essential to remember that delegation of work isn't just about reducing one's workload but also empowering others to learn new things and advance in their careers.
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You need to provide both direction and the expected outcome. For instance, "this is how good looks like", "this is how bad looks like" and "this is how awesome looks like", with these basic agreement in place the delegation is well scoped and set for success.
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Celebrate wins (big and small) together! Building a product is a rollercoaster, so acknowledging milestones and wins keeps everyone motivated. We take time to high-five each other, grab lunch, or just share a laugh. A team that celebrates together stays together, and that's the kind of crew I want by my side!
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Kirthika Logeswaran
Project Manager at Rootcode | Driving Innovation and Strategy for Products
(edited)1. Encourage team members to take calculated risks and explore innovative solutions, even if it means making mistakes along the way. Create a safe environment where failures are viewed as opportunities for learning and growth rather than punishment. 2. Start by delegating smaller decisions or tasks to build trust and confidence in team members' abilities. Gradually increase the level of autonomy and responsibility as team members demonstrate competence and reliability.
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Acknowledge and celebrate team members' successful decision-making efforts, recognizing their contributions and achievements. Encourage a culture of learning and continuous improvement by discussing both successes and failures openly, identifying lessons learned, and applying them to future decision-making.
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