Delegate the Decision, Not Just the Task

Delegation can leave someone responsible for the work but unsure which choices they’re allowed to make. More instructions may not solve that; a clear decision boundary can.

When handing over a task, agree on three things:

• The outcome that matters.
• The limits that must be respected.
• Which decisions the person owns—and what change would mean it’s time to check in.

Then set one review point to ask what was clear and where support was missing. This keeps help available without turning every step into an approval request. The goal is not to make the handoff perfect; it’s to give someone enough context to act and adjust with confidence.