As Jesse Sostrin, Director of PwC's Coaching and Leadership for Excellence Center PwC ( ( To be a great leader, you need to learn how to delegate well)), leadership is all about delegation. Even if it may seem time-consuming at first, delegating helps you to be more effective in the long term, and here are our tips for perfecting your skills:

1. Start by identifying the tasks to be delegated

First identify the tasks that are your sole responsibility and those that you can delegate. Prioritise your most time-consuming tasks and where your added value is limited. This sometimes requires delegating tasks that we like or that give us reassurance because we are used to doing them. But these tasks stop you from focusing on the crux of the matter. 

2. Choose the right people to delegate to

It's essential to choose the right people to whom you want to delegate work. "Leadership is the art of getting someone to do something, because they want to do it," as Dwight Einsenhowerliked to remind us. If you're hesitating, think about your colleagues' strengths and areas for improvement. Each of them has his or her own skills, and it's essential to bear these in mind before delegating tasks to them.

3. Give your teams/colleagues all the required resources

From the outset, be clear about your expectations and provide all the resources your teams/colleagues need to meet these expectations. The more specific you are, the more satisfying your results will be. If the project is a major one, provide them with the human, financial and technological means to succeed. Be sure to plan ahead and don’t wait until the last minute to delegate a task that will take your teams/colleagues a lot of time.

4. Be patient, attentive and make sure you’re not constantly looking over the shoulder of your teams /colleagues

Be patient with your teams/colleagues. It is normal for them to take a lot longer than you to perform the same tasks at first. You will often need to make adjustments to get the job done. But in the long run, you will save time and your employees will grow. Also, after delegating a task, avoid constantly checking what stage the project is at. This is a natural but counterproductive trend. In part, delegating requires letting go. However, make sure you schedule periodic monitoring to make sure everyone is on the right track and in particular to remain available for any questions.

5. Share your rewards and thank your teams/colleagues

If your project succeeds because of your teams/colleagues, do not forget to thank everyone who helped you and share any rewards you might have received. This will make it easier for you to delegate