Delegation does not have to be all or nothing. There are several different levels of delegation, each with different levels of delegate independence and supervision.

The Levels of Independence

1. Delegate waits to be told what to do
2. Delegate asks what to do
3. Delegate recommends what should be done, and then acts
4. Delegate acts, and then reports results immediately
5. Delegate initiates action and then reports periodically

People often move throughout these levels during the delegation process. Your goal should be to get the delegate to levels 3-5, depending on the task being performed. Make sure you match the amount of responsibility with the amount of authority. Understand that you can delegate some responsibility, but you can’t delegate away ultimate accountability. The buck stops with you!