Women & Delegation skills

I recently did a survey amongst working mothers and asked them –

 ‘If you had to ask your spouse to support you better in managing your career and family needs, what would you ask for?

•  50% said they want their spouse to share the home / child responsibilities.
  
• 30% said they want their spouse to work flexi time (be available more to the kids)
• 20 % said they want their spouse to spend more time with the child / at home

In this context, one respondent made a comment – "let them become more active role in house-cleaning, food-shopping, helping with homework, making school lunches, etc. :-)"

Well if its our need as women , we need to do something about it

The challenge with most women is difficulty in delegating chores at home or to do with the kids. 

   I am not questing the intent;  its either that we give up too soon or dont do it right and end up feeling frustrated !

My suggestion , 'learn the principles of delegation' and apply them in this context

I guarantee you results ! 

These are the typical steps recommended by Management guru’s in delegating a task. Apply it step by step to delegate a specific task to your spouse

Here is an illustration - 

Delegation Steps	Example 1	Example 2
Identify a suitable person for the task.	Clearly here we are talking about the spouse here - this step is done !
Prepare the person. Explain the task clearly. Make sure that you are understood. Leave room in the task description for ingenuity / initiative.	Washing clothes Explain in detail, how the washing machine works, the need to separate clothes (principle of colour running, treatment of different clothes - delicates, wool etc), how much detergent, if any other features need to be used (example timer, delay start etc) Show it once or twice	Dressing up kid for school Explain in detail what all should happen prior to dressing up the kid (example taking them to the toilet, washing up, medicines etc). Show where everything connected with this ( school clothes , socks, shoes) are kept and how they are arranged. Do it together once or twice along side
Make sure the person has the necessary authority to do the job properly	Tell them you are ok with their decisions in terms of which wash cycle, how many clothes should  go in, quantity of detergent to be used etc	In case something is not available, ask them to take a decision- assure them you will not crib about it later Here is the catch, you need to be fine with it, accept it -have faith
Keep in touch with the person for support and monitoring progress. Do not get to close. Accept alternative approaches	I think this is where most women fail Accept the following facts -   Men need a lot of detail.  These are new tasks, they have never done it or forgotten how to do it They may ask the same question a couple of times - its ok They make make a few mistakes They will not do it the way you do it  The key is Not to say ‘ I rather do it myself’
Praise / Acknowledge a job well done.	This is also important, it may be something that you will not get praised for, but this is your need and dont forget positive reinforcement works  !

Go ahead, think of responsibilities at home or with kids you think you can start delegating. Remember to follow these 5 steps diligently and consistently and may success be with you

Happy Diwali