Michael Hyatt’s Five Levels of Delegation provide a clear framework for leaders to delegate tasks effectively, maintaining control where necessary while also empowering team members. Here’s a summary of the five levels:
- Level 1 – Do Exactly What I Say: This level of delegation involves the leader giving specific instructions and expecting the team member to follow them precisely. It’s appropriate for situations where the task is new or the team member is inexperienced.
- Level 2 – Research the Topic and Report Back: The leader asks the team members to gather information about a particular topic. The decision-making authority still rests with the leader, who will take action based on the information provided.
- Level 3 – Research and Recommend a Course of Action: The team member is not only asked to research the topic but also to recommend a course of action. The leader will review the recommendation and make the final decision.
- Level 4 – Decide and Inform Me: The team member makes a decision and then informs the leader about the decision before implementing it. This allows the leader to monitor the decision-making process and intervene if necessary.
- Level 5 – Decide and Act: This level gives the team member full authority to make and implement decisions, notifying the leader of their actions on a scheduled or as-needed basis. This is typically appropriate for highly competent team members who have demonstrated their trustworthiness.
Each level gives the team member more autonomy, and the leader should decide which level to use based on the complexity of the task and the individual’s competence and experience. The goal is to empower team members to take ownership of tasks, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and better overall team performance.
You can learn more about Michael Hyatt’s work or download the cheat sheet here.
