Why Smart Leaders Give Away Their Most Important Work

I fell into this trap too. Delegation felt risky. I was worried about the outcomes. I feared losing control.

But here's the surprising truth: The smartest leaders don't cling to important work—they give it away.

I discovered this when I read Getting Things Done by David Allen. It completely transformed my thinking.

Great leaders delegate critical tasks, not just boring work.

Why do they do this?

• Delegation clears your mind.

• It creates time for strategic thinking.

• It gives you space to grow your business or career.

The best leaders know their highest value comes from vision and strategy—not from handling every detail.

They give away important tasks because this practice multiplies their impact.

Follow these steps to delegate like a boss:

Capture the Task

• List all tasks you might delegate.

• Define each task clearly before you hand it off.

Check if Delegation Works

• Ask: "Do I really have to do this myself?"

• Find someone with the right skills and time capacity.

Set Clear Goals

• Explain what success looks like.

• Share why the task matters.

Be Clear

• Give background information.

• Set expectations.

• Let them set a firm deadline.

• Ask them to confirm their understanding.

Give Resources

• Provide all the tools they need.

• Offer help without micro-managing.

Trust People

• Avoid checking in too often.

• Focus on your own priorities in the meantime.

Track Progress

• Keep a "Waiting For" list of delegated tasks.

• Check this list regularly.

Review Results

• Assess the final work.

• Give honest feedback.

Improve Your Method

• Learn from each experience.

• Build trust in your team and of your team over time.

Master Delegation Now

This week break free from doing everything. You cannot do it all.

Good delegation gives you time for strategy and energy for life beyond work.

Don’t let past delegation failures stop you.

Try these 9 GTD steps instead. They work like magic.

Ben.