SuperadditiveThe Decider

Method 02 of 08

Delegation

You decide.

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What it means

Give another person explicit authority to make the decision.

Delegation is not asking someone to investigate the problem and bring you a recommendation. It means the decision itself belongs to them.

Best when

  • One person has unusually strong information or expertise.
  • The decision can happen within clear boundaries.
  • You do not need to personally make the call.
  • Speed matters.
  • Developing distributed judgment is valuable.

Watch out for

  • Fake delegation.
  • Undefined boundaries.
  • Taking the decision back when you dislike the answer.
  • Delegating responsibility without authority.
  • Delegating without execution resources.

How it works

  1. Choose the decision owner.
  2. Define the outcome.
  3. Define guardrails.
  4. Explicitly transfer authority.
  5. Agree on escalation conditions.
  6. Don't quietly reclaim it.

Run the decision

Want help holding the process?

A short tool built for delegation decisions. It keeps the steps, roles and record straight. It never makes the call for you.

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Common traps

Delegation becomes recommendation.
If they need your approval, you still own the decision.
The delegate gets nervous.
Real authority carries risk.
You disagree with their choice.
Ask whether they violated a guardrail or simply chose differently.

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