We have entered an era of accelerated change, where a culture of trust, giving employees autonomy, open communication, and collaboration are critical for success.

Part of being an effective leader is to be surrounded by competent people, clarify expectations, and let them work. Leaders are responsible for developing their teams. Delegating responsibility is a powerful way to develop and reaffirm your trust in your team.

Effective delegators know that they can’t accomplish everything on their own, so they encourage employees to take on tasks that fit their skills and interests (having taken the time to learn what those skills and interests are). They also ensure their team has everything they need to do their job and provide constructive feedback.

Here are some recommendations to avoid the most common mistakes:

Set clear expectations. Focus on what is the expected outcome and not on how the task should be resolved.
Confirm that the person selected understands and is committed to the assignment.
Define the employee's authority level.
Avoid Perfectionism. Looking for perfection prevents people from taking risks or exploring new things. Mistakes are part of the learning process; ensure that your team takes the time to reflect and learn from them.
Encourage collaboration. The most important things usually are done by a team. It's the power of collaboration that make things happen.
Follow up and provide coaching and guidance if needed.

Empowering people not only help them grow and reach their potential but also is a critical driver for a company's success. Your team needs to feel valued and know their opinions matter to achieve the best results.