Skip to product menu
close
EXPLORE ALL PRODUCTS

Sales

CRM

Comprehensive CRM platform for customer-facing teams.

CRM
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
Forms

Build online forms for every business need.

Forms
Bigin

Simple CRM for small businesses moving from spreadsheets.

Bigin
SalesIQ

Live chat app to engage and convert website visitors.

SalesIQ
Bookings

Appointment scheduling app for consultations with customers.

Bookings
RouteIQ

AI-powered ETL tool for effective data integration and movement.

RouteIQ
Thrive

Complete loyalty and affiliate management platform.

Thrive
Suites
CRM Plus

Unified platform to deliver top-notch customer experience.

CRM Plus

Marketing

Campaigns

Create, send, and track targeted email campaigns that drive sales.

Campaigns
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
Forms

Build online forms for every business need.

Forms
Social

All-in-one social media management software.

Social
Survey

Design surveys to reach and interact with your audience.

Survey
SalesIQ

Live chat app to engage and convert website visitors.

SalesIQ
Sites

Online website builder with extensive customisation options.

Sites
Backstage

End-to-end event management software.

Backstage
PageSense

Website conversion optimization and personalisation platform.

PageSense
Marketing Automation

All-in-one marketing automation software.

Marketing Automation
LandingPage

Smart landing page builder to increase conversion rates

LandingPage
Webinar

Webinar platform for webcasting online webinars.

Webinar
NEW
LeadChain

Sync, manage, and convert leads across channels seamlessly.

LeadChain
NEW
Domains

Easy domain registration, transfer, and secured DNS management.

Domains
NEW
CommunitySpaces

Online community platform for individuals and businesses to grow their network and brand.

CommunitySpaces
Thrive

Complete loyalty and affiliate management platform.

Thrive
Publish

Manage all your local business listings on a single platform.

Publish
Suites
Marketing Plus

Unified marketing platform for marketing teams.

Marketing Plus

Commerce and POS

Commerce

eCommerce platform to manage and market your online store.

Commerce

Service

Desk

Helpdesk software to deliver great customer support.

Desk
Assist

Remote support and unattended remote access software.

Assist
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
SalesIQ

Live chat app to engage and convert website visitors.

SalesIQ
Bookings

Appointment scheduling app for consultations with customers.

Bookings
FSM

End-to-end field service management platform for service businesses.

FSM
Lens

Interactive remote assistance software with augmented reality.

Lens
Solo

The all-in-one toolkit for solopreneurs.

Solo
Suites
Service Plus

Unified platform for customer service and support teams.

Service Plus

Finance

Books

Powerful accounting platform for growing businesses.

Books
Expense

Effortless expense reporting platform.

Expense
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
Inventory

Powerful stock management and inventory control software.

Inventory
FREE
Invoice

100% Free invoicing solution.

Invoice
Billing

End-to-end billing solution for your business.

Billing
NEW
Payroll

Payroll software with automated tax payments and filing.

Payroll
Commerce

eCommerce platform to manage and market your online store.

Commerce
Checkout

Collect payments online with custom branded pages.

Checkout
Practice

Practice management software for accounting firms.

Practice
Solo

The all-in-one toolkit for solopreneurs.

Solo
NEW
Payments

Unified payment solution built for all businesses.

Payments
Suites
Finance Plus

All-in-one suite to manage your operations and finances.

Finance Plus

Email, Storage, and Collaboration

Mail

Secure email service for teams of all sizes.

Mail
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
WorkDrive

Online file management for teams.

WorkDrive
Bookings

Appointment scheduling app for consultations with customers.

Bookings
Cliq

Stay in touch with teams no matter where you are.

Cliq
Notebook

Beautiful home for all your notes.

Notebook
Meeting

Online meeting software for all your video conferencing & webinar needs.

Meeting
Connect

Employee experience platform to communicate, engage, and build positive employee relations.

Connect
Learn

Knowledge and learning management platform.

Learn
Office Integrator

Built in document editors for web apps.

Office Integrator
Writer

Word processor for focused writing and discussions.

Writer
TeamInbox

Shared inboxes for teams.

TeamInbox
ZeptoMail

Secure and reliable transactional email sending service.

ZeptoMail
Show

Create, edit, and share slides with a sleek presentation app.

Show
Tables

Work management tool to connect people, processes, and information.

Tables
Sheet

Spreadsheet software for collaborative teams.

Sheet
Office Suite

Powerful collaborative work platform for teams.

Office Suite
Calendar

Online business calendar to manage events and schedule appointments.

Calendar
ToDo

Collaborative task management for individuals and teams.

ToDo
FREE
PDF Editor

Collaborative online PDF editing tool.

PDF Editor
Suites
Workplace

Application suite built to improve team productivity and collaboration.

Workplace

Human Resources

Expense

Effortless expense reporting platform.

Expense
Recruit

Intuitive recruiting platform built to provide hiring solutions.

Recruit
People

Organize, automate, and simplify your HR processes.

People
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
NEW
Payroll

Payroll software with automated tax payments and filing.

Payroll
Shifts

Employee scheduling and time tracking app.

Shifts
Workerly

Manage temporary staffing with an employee scheduling solution.

Workerly
Suites
People Plus

Comprehensive HR platform for seamless employee experiences.

People Plus

Security and IT Management

Creator

Build custom apps to simplify business processes.

Creator
Assist

Remote support and unattended remote access software.

Assist
Vault

Online password manager for teams.

Vault
Directory

Workforce identity and access management solution for cloud businesses.

Directory
Lens

Interactive remote assistance software with augmented reality.

Lens
QEngine

Test automation software to build, manage, execute, and report testcases.

QEngine
Catalyst

Pro-code platform to build and deploy your apps.

Catalyst
RPA

Automate manual, tedious, and repetitive tasks easily.

RPA
NEW
eProtect

Comprehensive email security and archiving for every business.

eProtect
FREE
OneAuth

Secure multi-factor authenticator (MFA) for all your online accounts.

OneAuth
Toolkit

Complete resource for any admin-related lookup queries.

Toolkit

BI and Analytics

Analytics

Modern self-service BI and analytics platform.

Analytics
DataPrep

AI-powered data preparation service for your data-driven organization.

DataPrep
NEW
IoT

Harnessing IoT analytics for real-time operational intelligence.

IoT
Embedded BI

Embedded analytics and white label BI solutions, tailored for your needs.

Embedded BI

Project Management

Projects

Manage, track, and collaborate on projects with teams.

Projects
Sprints

Planning and tracking tool for scrum teams.

Sprints
BugTracker

Automatic bug tracking software for managing bugs.

BugTracker
Solo

The all-in-one toolkit for solopreneurs.

Solo
Suites
Projects Plus

Unified project management platform for intelligent, data-driven work.

Projects Plus

Developer Platforms

Creator

Build custom apps to simplify business processes.

Creator
Flow

Automate business workflows by creating smart integrations.

Flow
Office Integrator

Built in document editors for web apps.

Office Integrator
DataPrep

AI-powered data preparation service for your data-driven organization.

DataPrep
ZeptoMail

Secure and reliable transactional email sending service.

ZeptoMail
Tables

Work management tool to connect people, processes, and information.

Tables
QEngine

Test automation software to build, manage, execute, and report testcases.

QEngine
Catalyst

Pro-code platform to build and deploy your apps.

Catalyst
RPA

Automate manual, tedious, and repetitive tasks easily.

RPA
NEW
IoT

Build, deploy, and scale IoT solutions for connected businesses.

IoT
Apptics

Application analytics for all apps.

Apptics
Embedded BI

Embedded analytics and white label BI solutions, tailored for your needs.

Embedded BI

IoT

NEW
IoT

Low-code IoT platform and solutions for connected businesses.

IoT
CRM Plus

Unified platform to deliver top-notch customer experience.

Try now
CRM Plus
Service Plus

Unified platform for customer service and support teams.

Try now
Service Plus
Finance Plus

All-in-one suite to manage your operations and finances.

Try now
Finance Plus
People Plus

Comprehensive HR platform for seamless employee experiences.

Try now
People Plus
Workplace

Application suite built to improve team productivity and collaboration.

Try now
Workplace
Marketing Plus

Unified marketing platform for marketing teams.

Try now
Marketing Plus
Projects Plus

Unified project management platform for intelligent, data-driven work.

Try now
Projects Plus
All-in-one suite

Zoho One

The Operating System for Business

Run your entire business on Zoho with our unified cloud software, designed to help you break down silos between departments and increase organizational efficiency.

TRY ZOHO ONE
Zoho Marketplace

With over 2000 ready-to-use extensions across 40+ categories, connect your favorite business tools with the Zoho products you already use.

EXPLORE MARKETPLACE
Skip to main content

Master the art of delegation as a manager

Congratulations! You’ve recently been promoted to manager, a title you've worked hard for and earned. You walk into work with your head held high, a pep in your step, and the grit to get things done. 

Then, you look at your to-do list, and it just keeps growing. A barrage of emails, tasks, and meetings. On top of this, you're supposed to manage people? It feels like you're the only one who can handle certain things. If you step away for a second, everything might just... stop. Maybe you’re even wondering if you secretly signed up to do three jobs instead of one.

Meanwhile, you look at your team. Good people, capable people, with energy and ideas. And you can't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, there's a way to tap into that collective power, not just to ease your load but to help them step up and grow.

If any of that rings true, we need to talk about delegation.

What is delegation?

Forget the dry definitions for a moment. Delegation isn't about pushing tasks off your plate because you're swamped (though that can be a happy side effect!). Delegation is, quite simply, choosing an individual or a group and saying, "I trust you with this." 

As a good manager, you're not just handing over an item on your list. You're handing over a piece of ownership and an opportunity to contribute in a bigger way.

Delegation is:

  • Not: “Here, do this for me.”
  • But: “Let’s figure this out together. I believe you can.”

As a good manager, you:

  • Show them how you do it.
  • Tell them what's important.
  • Ensure they have the right tools.
  • Help them if they get stuck.
  • Trust them to own it.

You're still invested in the work turning out great, but you're empowering them to gain the skill and the pride of doing it themselves.

Why managers shy away from delegating

Before we dive into how to delegate, let’s get real about why it can feel scary:

  • “It’s easier to do it myself.”
    Sure, explaining a task takes time. But what happens next week when you’re swamped and still the only one who knows how to do it?
  • “What if they do it better than me?”
    Good. That’s the point. Your job isn’t to be the best at everything. It’s to build a team where everyone shines.
  • "I don’t want to be that manager who dumps work."
    Delegation isn’t dumping. It’s investing. Imagine saying, “I’m giving you this because I think you’ll crush it.” How does that feel?
  • “But I’ll lose track of things!”
    You might, for a bit. But micromanaging burns you out and frustrates your team.

Here’s the truth: Holding onto tasks isn’t dedication. It’s fear in disguise. Fear of mistakes. Fear of irrelevance. Fear of losing the “hero” role. But leadership isn’t about being the hero. It’s about creating more of them.

5 common myths about delegation

Let’s bust five common myths that trip up managers. 

Myth #1: Delegation is just dumping your least favorite tasks.

This is probably the most damaging myth. Delegation isn't about clearing your plate by offloading boring or difficult tasks without thought. It’s to match the right task with the right person to help the team and the individual grow.

Myth #2: Delegation is just you slacking off.

Your job isn’t to tackle every task solo. It’s to make sure the work gets done through your team. As the "coach," you’re not playing the game—you’re calling the shots.

Myth #3: Once you delegate, you're totally hands-off.

Not really. Effective delegation doesn't mean abandoning the task or the person. You're still responsible for the outcome. You need to be available for questions, check in occasionally, and give feedback. 

Myth #4: You should only delegate when you're completely swamped or going on vacation.

If you're only delegating on the way to the airport or when you're neck deep in work, there is a better way! Delegation works best as a regular habit, not an emergency measure. Doing it consistently builds your team's skills and resilience before you hit crisis mode. 

Myth #5: Delegating complex or important work is too risky.

It feels safer to keep the high-stakes stuff to yourself. But trust me, some of the biggest growth moments for your team (they might even surprise you!) happen when you entrust a challenging task to the right person, with the right support. It shows you believe in them, and that belief can be incredibly motivating.

5 reasons why you should delegate

So, why bother with delegation anyway? Here's the lowdown:

1. Multiply your impact: You were promoted for a reason, right? Delegation gives you the time to focus on the bigger stuff that only you can do, like planning and making important decisions. 

2. Develop your team: Delegation helps team members build skills, take ownership, and gain confidence. When they take on new things, they get better and more valuable.

3. Prevent burnout: Your energy is finite. Sharing work means you’re less likely to be mentally exhausted, and your team isn’t left waiting for you to clear their bottlenecks. 

4. Builds trust: When you delegate, you're saying, "I believe in you." That makes your team feel good and work better together.

5. Leads to better solutions: Your team members bring fresh perspectives. When you trust them with tasks, they might solve problems in ways you never considered. Fresh eyes, fresh ideas.

10 actionable tips to delegate effectively

1. Start with clarity: 

Start with a simple, direct explanation. What needs to be done? By when? Why does it matter? When your team knows exactly what’s expected, they’re more confident.

2. Pick tasks with purpose: 

Delegate tasks that offer growth opportunities to your team, not just the ones you want off your plate. This keeps them engaged and motivated.

3. Match tasks to strengths: 

Not every task is for everyone. Look at your team’s skills, interests, and growth areas. Find the right fit. A challenge for one might be routine for another.

4. Share the big picture: 

Instead of just handing over a task, explain why it matters. Context adds value, making them more invested.

5. Set milestones and checkpoints: 

Rather than breathing down their necks, agree on clear checkpoints. This keeps them on track without making them feel suffocated.

6. Equip them with resources: 

Make sure they have everything they need—tools, information, access, or training.

7. Make feedback a two-way street:

Don’t just hand out advice. Ask how it’s going, where they’re stuck, and what they’d do differently. This keeps the dialogue open.

8. Encourage ownership: 

Encourage them to make decisions within their scope. This builds confidence and accountability.

9. Trust, but be available: 

Once delegated, step back. But let them know you’re there if they hit a roadblock.

10. Celebrate wins, big or small: 

When they get it right, let them know. Recognition builds confidence and motivation.    

Wrapping up

Delegation isn't just a task-management technique. It isn't easy either. It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to build trust. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, like any new skill. But as you get better at it, you'll see incredible changes. 

Your own workload becomes more manageable, freeing you up for the strategic, high-impact work that truly matters. Your team becomes more skilled, more engaged, more confident, and more capable of tackling bigger challenges. The energy in the team shifts as people feel trusted and empowered.

So, take a breath. Look at your list today. What's one small thing you can delegate? Choose wisely, communicate clearly, offer support, and then... let go a little. Trust your team. It might just be the most impactful thing you do all week.

  • Srinath Vijayakumar

    Srinath is a product marketer for Zoho Workplace. He talks about productivity, tips to improve communication, and nuggets on doing your best at your workplace. He has great interest in bringing a fresh perspective to the forefront. He is highly optimistic to the extent that he opens the refrigerator every 10 minutes, hoping to find something new. Outside of work, you will catch him playing football, travelling or writing half-finished stories.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

The comment language code.
By submitting this form, you agree to the processing of personal data according to our Privacy Policy.

You may also like