Delegation Needs a Boundary, Not a Second Supervisor

A useful lesson from thinking about delegation: handing over a task works best when the outcome is clear but the method is not overprescribed. Otherwise, responsibility moves on paper while every decision still comes back to the person who delegated it.

For a recurring task, try naming two things: what must be true when it is finished, and which decisions the other person can make without checking back. Keep one pause condition for anything that genuinely needs your attention. That leaves room for a different approach without making the goal or its boundaries vague.

This isn’t a fit for every task; some decisions do need shared review. But when every small choice requires approval, it may be worth asking whether the process needs more control—or a clearer limit on what truly needs your involvement.