2-4-6-8 Delegate

Over the years I’ve been involved with several projects that was built in stages. It is very common for large projects to be built out in phases. A new phase is an opportunity to continue to build upon the recent success, but it’s also a time when changes can be implemented a bit easier. I remember a stupid little phrase that a good friend told me when I seem bogged down in planning. He would say: “2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – we must learn to delegate”! I can be way more productive when I learn to delegate tasks that others are gifted at and can do instead of the responsibility follow on me.

Nehemiah had been the “general contractor” on the rebuilding of the Temple as well as wall of Jerusalem after the people of Judah had been in captivity for over 70 years. He was called by The Lord to do this project. He organized the workers. He put together the materials. He had to play a bit of defense against some enemies nearby. After the work was completed a new phase of his leadership began. Check this out…

1 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

4 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. 5 So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. (Nehemiah 7:1-2; 4-5a NIV)

Delegation is not “skipping out”.

Delegation is not “ducking the work”.

Delegation to me is working much smarter than harder. If I can surround myself with people with similar work ethic and skill, then together we can accomplish much more work product than I could ever do alone.

I also believe that delegation gets “buy-in” from others. When a team comes together and everyone contributes – there is a great sense of accomplishment as well as a greater work with less stress on everyone. I also believe that the Lord gifts us all differently. There are those who are gifted leaders and then there are those who are gifted at doing the work very efficiently.

The church was started with delegation right out of the gate. Check this out..

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NIV)

I’m more effective when I learn to get others involved in my work.

I can serve more people when I delegate some to others.

I give others the opportunity to grow and be involved when I delegate.

I have more energy and life in me after a day or weeks worth of work.

Delegating can be challenging to the person who likes how they do things. I can get so much more accomplished in a shorter time frame when I learn to delegate. I think all great leaders (big or small), parents, teachers, government officials, pastors…. everyone, should learn this concept.

Pressing On!

Dwayne