What do you do if trust is lacking in the delegation process for program managers?
Trust is a critical component in any successful delegation process, especially for program managers who must ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. When trust is lacking, it can lead to micromanagement, decreased productivity, and a toxic work environment. As a program manager, you might find yourself in a situation where you need to delegate tasks but feel hesitant due to a lack of trust in your team's abilities or commitment. This article explores practical steps to rebuild trust and create a more conducive environment for delegation.
To address the lack of trust, start by assessing its root causes. Consider whether past failures, unclear expectations, or lack of communication have contributed to the current state. Engage with your team members individually to understand their perspectives and experiences. This step is crucial in identifying specific trust barriers and determining the best approach to overcome them. Remember, building trust starts with understanding and acknowledging the issues at hand.
-
Marjan Rezaeezadeh
PMP® | Project Manager | Project Leadership
If trust is lacking in the delegation process for program managers, it's crucial to address the root causes. Start by fostering open communication and transparency to rebuild trust among team members. Clarify expectations and roles to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities. Provide opportunities for team members to voice concerns and offer feedback. Lead by example and demonstrate accountability in your own actions. Offer support and resources to empower team members to succeed in their delegated tasks. Finally, recognize and celebrate successes to reinforce trust and collaboration within the team.
-
Lakshmi Kumari, PMP®, RMP®
Project Manager | Azure | R&D | Construction | EPGP - IIMK’23 | BIT Sindri
Trust isn't born overnight. It has to be build up over time and it comes from showing confidence in team member's abilities. Lack of trust can be overcome by: a. Start with smaller simpler assignments to improve mutual understanding of capabilities b. Clear articulation of expectations to help in identifying the roles and responsibilties c. Learn to overcome inherent biases from previous experiences (training opportunities) d. Seek help from a third party for guidance and consult
-
Vishwanath Nair
Info/Cyber Security Evangelist | True believer in Integrated Risk Management | Proud Father and Lucky Husband
Break up tasks and monitor delegation Continuous, transparent and clear communication Reiterate roles & responsibilities Establish escalation mechanisms
-
Alpesh Shah
LinkedIn Top Voice | Senior RTE & Agile Transformation Expert | SAFe SPC (6.0) & Agile Coach | Fostering Organizational Agility | Driving Change & Continuous Improvement | +15 Years in Agile Delivery
Here are some steps to foster a supportive and empowering environment: •Communicate Openly: Keep lines of communication open, ensuring that team members feel informed and involved. •Set Clear Expectations: Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations to avoid misunderstandings. •Empower Team Members: Give team members the autonomy to own their tasks and make decisions, which reinforces trust and respect. •Provide Support and Resources: Ensure that team members have the necessary tools. •Encourage Feedback: Regularly seek and act on feedback from your team regarding the delegation process. •Recognize Efforts: Acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and achievements of your team, which can bolster morale and trust.
-
Dr Siddhartha Dutta
LinkedIn Top Market Research Voice| Business Transformation| Digital Transformation| Consulting| Revenue Generation | Business Development
If trust is lacking, better have everything documented in a PERT. Have regular follow ups and try to be professional. Please do not show mistrust even if you dont trust your manager. Have faith and keep motivating the team member. It helps.
-
Bharat V.
Senior Project Manager | Management Professional
As program managers struggle to develop trust between themselves and their delegating staff members, it's essential that clear communication channels be established so concerns may be openly expressed and regularly checked-in on. Implementing transparent reporting mechanisms and regular check-ins are effective tools in building it slowly over time; additionally fostering an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect can further mitigate trust issues while encouraging effective delegation.
-
Christopher Thorpe
Senior Telecoms Leader providing operational excellence and fantastic results
If trust is lacking in the delegation process for program managers, it's essential to address the issue promptly. Start by openly acknowledging any concerns or misunderstandings and foster transparent communication. Reassure team members of their importance and value, emphasizing a shared commitment to the project's success. Encourage collaboration and involvement in decision-making to rebuild trust. Provide clarity on expectations, roles, and responsibilities to avoid ambiguity. Additionally, lead by example by demonstrating trustworthiness and accountability in your own actions. Finally, regularly solicit feedback and actively listen to team members' concerns to continuously improve the delegation process and rebuild trust over time.
-
Monideepa Bhattacharya
Experienced Strategy, Program Management and Sales Leader | Green Belt, Design Thinking, Prince2 | Sustainability
Find out why. People lose trust when promises aren't kept, communication isn't transparent, credit isn't given where and when due, there are too many free-riders in the delegation team and outcomes are unfairly distributed. Do some focus groups or talk to folks one on one to find out why. You will know what to do once you know what is happening.
-
James Fee
CTO & Tech Strategist with 25+ Years in Software Development | Bridging Technology with Business Objectives | Expert in Cloud, Cybersecurity & Team Leadership | Driven by Innovation & SaaS Excellence | Baseball is life
To tackle the trust deficit, begin by delving into its underlying triggers. Reflect on potential factors such as historical setbacks, ambiguous expectations, or breakdowns in communication that may have fueled its emergence. Initiate one-on-one dialogues with team members to gain insight into their viewpoints and encounters. This process is pivotal for pinpointing distinct trust obstacles and devising tailored strategies for resolution. Keep in mind, fostering trust hinges on comprehending and validating the existing challenges.
Once you've identified the reasons behind the trust issues, it's time to set clear expectations. Communicate your vision for the project, define roles and responsibilities, and establish measurable goals. This clarity helps team members understand what is expected of them and how they contribute to the program's success. Clear expectations can prevent misunderstandings and build a foundation for trust through transparency and accountability.
-
Mayuresh Ramugade
Engineer at AIRBUS | (CAPM)® | (PMP)® | Lean Six Sigma MBB | Certified ScrumMaster®
-> Be upfront about project objectives, priorities, constraints, and performance expectations to avoid misunderstandings or ambiguity. -> Demonstrate reliability, consistency, and accountability in your actions and communications to build trust over time. -> Provide clear and detailed instructions for delegated tasks, including expectations regarding quality standards, deadlines, and deliverables. -> Clarify any uncertainties or questions upfront and encourage team members to seek clarification as needed.
-
Rodrigo Cintra
Chief Innovation and International Officer
When I noticed a lack of trust in the delegation process among program managers, setting clear expectations was my first step. I made sure to outline the scope, deadlines, and desired outcomes explicitly. By doing so, everyone understood their responsibilities and the standards to which they were being held. This approach helped build trust, as it minimized uncertainties and showed my confidence in their capabilities. Regular check-ins and providing feedback also reinforced this trust, ensuring the delegation process was transparent and collaborative.
-
Fahim Akhtar I PMI - PfMP®, PMP®, ACP® I Prince2® I PSPO®, PSM® I ASQ CSSBB®
Head - Technical Product & Program Management, Foundation Engineering
The lack of trust could generally be coz of 2 reasons: 1. When there have been bad experiences in the past when work was delegated and 2. The relationship is new and there is no experience or exposure. Once we assess what is the fact and reason an approach could be decided to bridge the gap. Knowing the fact that trust has to be build and maintained.
-
James Fee
CTO & Tech Strategist with 25+ Years in Software Development | Bridging Technology with Business Objectives | Expert in Cloud, Cybersecurity & Team Leadership | Driven by Innovation & SaaS Excellence | Baseball is life
While setting clear expectations is important, it's essential to recognize that trust is not solely built through clarity and accountability. Merely outlining roles and responsibilities may not address the deeper emotional and interpersonal dynamics contributing to the lack of trust. It's crucial to also invest time and effort in rebuilding relationships, fostering open communication, and demonstrating empathy and understanding towards team members' concerns. Building trust requires more than just setting expectations; it necessitates genuine connection and a commitment to addressing underlying issues collaboratively.
-
Pran Chatterjee, MBA, MS
Capgemini Insights & Data || Program Management | Cloud Computing | Cloud Data Engineering | Big Data | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Customer Success | Revenue Growth | Presales | Proposal Management
Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and the expected outcomes of delegated tasks. This clarity helps in setting a transparent framework where team members know what is expected of them and what they expect from their leaders.
Empowering your team is a powerful way to build trust. Provide them with the resources, training, and support they need to succeed. When team members feel equipped and supported, they are more likely to take ownership of their tasks and perform them confidently. Empowerment also demonstrates your trust in their abilities, which can encourage them to meet or even exceed expectations.
-
Cindy Jeffrey
LinkedIn Top Program Management Voice | Commercial Manager | Project Management Principles and Practices
Trust is the glue of delegation. Empower your team by giving them the tools and training they need. When they feel supported, they'll step up and own their tasks like pros. By showing you trust them, they'll return the favor with stellar performance. Ever seen empowerment work its magic? Share your stories below. Let's inspire each other!
-
Jayanthan M
🪖 Army Officer | Strategist in Transition & Here to Empower You | Operations Management | Program Manager| Data Science & AI Enthusiast
As a veteran leader transitioning to program management, I understand the importance of trust. Just like in the military, delegation thrives on clear communication. Focus on **empowering your team** by outlining goals, providing resources, and celebrating wins. This builds confidence and trust. Think of a mission briefing: you explain the objective, equip your team, and trust them to execute. By creating a psychologically safe space, you'll foster open communication and address concerns before they erode trust.
-
Pran Chatterjee, MBA, MS
Capgemini Insights & Data || Program Management | Cloud Computing | Cloud Data Engineering | Big Data | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Customer Success | Revenue Growth | Presales | Proposal Management
Empowerment is a critical element in building trust. Provide team members with the resources and autonomy they need to perform their tasks. Trust them to make decisions within their scope of work, which not only boosts their confidence but also shows your trust in their capabilities.
Effective communication is the lifeblood of trust. Establish open channels of communication where team members can share concerns, provide updates, and offer feedback without fear of reprisal. Regular check-ins and team meetings can keep everyone aligned and foster a sense of community and shared purpose. When communication flows freely, it becomes easier to address issues before they escalate into bigger problems.
-
Fahim Akhtar I PMI - PfMP®, PMP®, ACP® I Prince2® I PSPO®, PSM® I ASQ CSSBB®
Head - Technical Product & Program Management, Foundation Engineering
Key to majority of problems or eventually solving this problems is effective regular communication both instance based and frequency based. To build trust we should rely on effective delegation, meaning, before we delegate we do understand that both the one delegating and the one accepting communicate, understand and agree to what is expected. Even in cases where delegation has gone wrong we should focus on the problem and process and not people involved. Specially while communicating, start from a positive sense of trusting each other and then discuss what went wrong in the process and how it can be avoided in future.
-
James Fee
CTO & Tech Strategist with 25+ Years in Software Development | Bridging Technology with Business Objectives | Expert in Cloud, Cybersecurity & Team Leadership | Driven by Innovation & SaaS Excellence | Baseball is life
While effective communication is undoubtedly crucial, it's important to recognize that simply encouraging open channels of communication may not be sufficient to build trust in all situations. Trust involves more than just the exchange of information; it requires consistent actions and behaviors that demonstrate reliability, integrity, and respect. In some cases, issues of trust may stem from past experiences or interpersonal dynamics that cannot be fully addressed through communication alone. Therefore, while open communication is a valuable tool, it must be complemented by efforts to actively rebuild trust through genuine engagement, transparency, and accountability.
-
Pran Chatterjee, MBA, MS
Capgemini Insights & Data || Program Management | Cloud Computing | Cloud Data Engineering | Big Data | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Customer Success | Revenue Growth | Presales | Proposal Management
Regular and open communication is key to building trust. Implement regular check-ins and feedback loops where team members can discuss their progress and challenges. This not only keeps you informed but also helps in addressing issues before they escalate.
-
Chantell Johnson
Process Transformation Champion | Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | Facilitator | Product Owner | Business Analyst | Project Manager
I believe communication breakdown is the first symptom. Communicating with clarity can help bridge the gap. Being consistent is the second step. Working in high performing, collaborative teams require open and transparent communication. This helps rebuild the trust.
Acknowledging and appreciating your team's efforts goes a long way in building trust. Recognize accomplishments, provide constructive feedback, and celebrate milestones. This not only motivates your team but also shows that you value their hard work and dedication. Recognition can reinforce positive behavior and encourage team members to continue contributing their best efforts.
-
Pran Chatterjee, MBA, MS
Capgemini Insights & Data || Program Management | Cloud Computing | Cloud Data Engineering | Big Data | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Customer Success | Revenue Growth | Presales | Proposal Management
Acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and accomplishments of team members. Recognition can significantly boost morale and reinforce a positive feedback loop in the team, contributing to a trustful working environment.
-
Paulina Verduzco
I help to transform your vision into reality based on project management: structure and agility 🔹 Professor, PMP®, Chopra Center® certified instructor, executive coach
Trust is built when our words match our actions. First, make sure your team knows what to do. If he doesn't know, teach him. Second, make sure your team has the resources to do the tasks, including time. If you don't have it, get them. If these two conditions are met, then we will have the possibility of fulfilling our actions and thus our words. Then, publicly recognize your team's efforts. This is how we lay the foundations of trust.
Finally, be prepared to adapt your management style and processes based on feedback and results. Trust is not static; it evolves over time. By being flexible and responsive to your team's needs, you demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and mutual respect. This adaptability can strengthen trust and enhance the overall effectiveness of your delegation process.
-
Pran Chatterjee, MBA, MS
Capgemini Insights & Data || Program Management | Cloud Computing | Cloud Data Engineering | Big Data | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Customer Success | Revenue Growth | Presales | Proposal Management
Be open to feedback about your own leadership and delegation style. Adapt your approach based on the team's feedback and changing circumstances. This flexibility demonstrates your commitment to improving the team dynamics and building trust.
-
Fahim Akhtar I PMI - PfMP®, PMP®, ACP® I Prince2® I PSPO®, PSM® I ASQ CSSBB®
Head - Technical Product & Program Management, Foundation Engineering
Finally, adapt to what is learn while communicating, remember adapt and not adopt. Individualism is equally important. More often than not, the loss of trust in delegation is due to making assumptions on what is being asked and what is being understood. While we evolve more and more expected results will increase the level of trust and we have to build on it.
-
Rachida Meftah
Program Director
Motivate and inspire. To be inspired by a leader, he/she has to be fully integrated to the team, not only there for measuring productivity, but for addressing difficulties, seeking solutions, valuing efforts and encouraging. The team captain must be on the field.
-
Fahim Akhtar I PMI - PfMP®, PMP®, ACP® I Prince2® I PSPO®, PSM® I ASQ CSSBB®
Head - Technical Product & Program Management, Foundation Engineering
Remember building trust may take initial attempts however trust is a living thing, so efforts must go in maintaining the trust also. Effective delegation and keeping an eye on development needs and leadership support in line with the development needs is the key. Do not take a champion of one task or category to be a champion everywhere and visa-Versa. This is a common mistake that pushes us to use micro management when macro management leadership style is needed and surprisingly the opposite is is also true, meaning, using macro management and delegation leadership style when in fact we should have done micro focused delegation or development.
-
PALLAVI NIGAM
Business & Digital transformation Evangelist |IT Product Strategy & Portfolio Management | Digital Product management I S4/HANA I SAP BTP I S2P I O2C I Ex-Unilever # Ex-GEP #Ex-Zycus, Doctoral Researcher
Consider conducting team-building activities or workshops to strengthen relationships and build trust within your team. Also, lead by example by demonstrating trustworthiness and integrity in your own actions and decisions.
-
Zivile Einikyte 🌪
✨ Creator of Perception Paradox | Podcast Host | Events Host & Moderator
Offering training and development opportunities to both program managers and their teams can enhance competencies, boost confidence, and improve trust in everyone's ability to handle responsibilities effectively.
-
KD Rose
This is my Gov’t, writing, & corporate resume (as much as can be said.) To speak re work I’ve done, you need to know exactly what I know first, due to clearances. Not looking for more work but available for consulting.
Disagree . Every success is a finely tuned organism. It is the exact right combo of skill sets personalities, power, position, attributes & other extensions they bring, actually liking and knowing one another, and knowing how to work with the traits and flaws of all.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Creative StrategyWhat do you do if your delegation efforts are not yielding successful results?
-
Change ManagementWhat do you do if your collaborative team lacks a sense of ownership and accountability?
-
Team LeadershipHere's how you can assess the effectiveness and influence of your delegation efforts.
-
People ManagementWhat do you do if your team members constantly interrupt you as a People Manager?