Delegating

Delegating

Delegating

I am going to begin this post by making a black and white statement which I know will not be something that is "real" in the real world that we all experience everyday. 

I think that there are two types of leaders one type delegates and the second type micro manages his charges.  I suppose that both types of leadership have their share of strengths and weaknesses, and I am at a point in my life were I am rethinking my style of leadership..... that worked in the past but is not at this time; so change is needed.  At this time I am trying to change how I lead and it is causing me some stress but I think it will get better as I get more proficient at it.  One of my co-workers is having a little trouble with this but I feel this will work itself out.  We talk, or at least try to since communication is hard at the best of times, so when there is tension and stress it can become more difficult.  Also my co-worker is a very intelligent woman so there are different perspectives that need to be understood; which is difficult since I tend to find women interesting to say the least in how they process ands interrupt events. 

Being for the most part a global thinker I find it easy to delegate if I have respect and trust in the one who works for me; in fact I tend to over delegate and this is becoming more apparent to me at this time.  The stress level at work is risen a few notches in the last few months and I have to face the fact that I am to blame for a good deal of it.  I am not saying this out of guilt but as a simple fact, and this has spurred me to do something about it.  My co-worker is having some trouble in understanding this and we are in the midst of trying to understanding each other better.  I also need bone up on my listening skills so I can be fair to her.

My co-worker is a very competent nurse, organized, resourceful and a very good office manager.  For the last year I have known that the stress level at work has risen and when I tried to communicate this to her she would down play it; to my shame I went along with her and I think failed to live up to my responsibilities as her supervisor.

We had a meeting last week with our business manager, and it was a very good meeting and was pleased with the honesty of my co-worker; in her letting us know of her struggles with the job.  This has lead me to understand that I need to get more involved, be more present and not allow myself to let her carry the whole load by herself. 

It is hard to find the 'mean' in this regard but I am going to give it a good try.... to give her more support, to be more present etc.  Because of my ability to delegate I tend to take on too many responsibilities and because of that she has suffered. 

I feel good about this since hopefully it will bring more balance not only to the work place but also to my own inner life.  I love my job and have concern for those who work for me and really need to focus more in this area of my live and perhaps let some other things go.  Also I miss the hands on part of the job and this will allow me to get back and do more of that.

One thing, people cannot be taken for granted and their gifts and weaknesses need to be accepted and worked with and thru I guess. 

Peace

Mitch