People admire the hard worker. The boss who’s willing to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty. The manager who doesn’t see himself as “above” the rest of his team. However, it is possible to take on too much.
When we try to tackle every task possible, we spread ourselves too thin. We get burnt out or don’t contribute the quality of work we know we’re capable of.
The real estate industry is a busy one. There are always meetings to attend, listing presentations to prepare, clients to touch base with. Don’t overwork yourself! Delegation is key to managing your workload and maximizing productivity.
Learn to Let Go
Some people feel so dedicated to their work that they refuse to let other people help. You don’t have to do everything on your own! If you’re uncomfortable entrusting a task to someone else, remember, that person was hired for a reason. They either have the skills necessary for the task, or the ability to learn something new.
Start small. Delegate only the smallest tasks that won’t cause you too much worry. As you improve the trust between you and your coworkers, gradually delegate tasks that are of more importance.
Trust, But Check In
Trust that your delegated task will be handled competently and efficiently. Leave your coworker to execute the task the best way he or she sees fit.
That being said, don’t be afraid to check in every now and then to see how things are going. It will not only give you peace of mind, but also the person working on the task the perfect chance to ask any questions.
Teach New Skills!
When you’ve got a full plate, the last thing on your mind is sitting down and teaching someone a new skill. You might even think that’d be a waste of time, but trust us, it’s worth it!
Most skills can be learned, but don’t delegate tasks that require extensive training. Although it will take longer to accomplish the task the first time around, think of it as an investment. After they’ve learned the new skill, they can complete those tasks promptly and efficiently!
These are just a few ways to practice delegation. In time, you’ll find the right strategy and system that works for you. Now, let’s look at some tasks you should be delegating:
What Should You Delegate?
A realtor’s time should be spent on prospecting, negotiations, and the listing or buyer presentation. Everything outside of that is able to be delegated.
Here are just a few things that are better off in the hands of others:
- Searching for New Properties
- Managing Your Marketing
- Updating Listings
- Social Media
- Managing Rental Properties
- Bookkeeping
Which of these items are you doing that could be delegated?
It may seem like a contradiction, but when you delegate you actually get more done. It broadens the boundaries of what you and your team or company can achieve. Delegation is also key to relieving your sense of pressure or feeling overwhelmed.
Delegation is a skill, and, like all skills, it takes practice. Pledge to start delegating, and you’ll find yourself accomplishing so much more!