Leaders think they’re delegating. They assign tasks, follow up, and things seem smooth. Yet, the company isn’t scaling.
🚨 Why? Because delegation isn’t just about handing off work. It’s about what you delegate and how much control you give away.
Most leaders get stuck at Level 1. To truly grow, you need to move through the three levels that I call..
TDO: Task → Decision → Outcome.
Level 1: T – Task Delegation (Doing the Work)
This is basic delegation—you assign a task, set clear steps, and expect execution.
📝 Example: You tell an employee:
➡️ “Post content on LinkedIn every Monday and Thursday.”
✅ The task gets done.
❌ But they don’t think beyond execution.
👀 Looks good on the surface, but you’re still the strategist.
Level 2: D – Decision Delegation (Solving the How)
Now, you step back and let them figure out the best way to execute.
📌 Example: Instead of dictating posts, you say:
➡️ “Figure out the best posting schedule and test different content types.”
✅ They experiment, analyze engagement, and tweak the process.
❌ But you’re still setting the overall direction.
👀 Better. But you’re still the north star.
Level 3: O – Outcome Delegation (Owning the Result)
This is true delegation—where you delegate the outcome, not just tasks or decisions.
🚀 Example: You give them a goal:
➡️ “Increase LinkedIn engagement by 50% in 6 months.”
✅ They own the result, decide the content strategy, and pivot as needed.
❌ You guide when necessary—but don’t interfere.
👀 Now, they own the success.
Want to scale? Delegate outcomes. As you add (or mentor) team members to whom you can delegate outcome, the business starts scaling exponentially.
Most leaders get stuck at T or D—and that’s why their organizations hit a ceiling. Its not easy to move to Level 3, because it needs the right mindset, as well as the right protegee – someone who brings energy, curiousity, and intent. It may be time taking, at times frustrating, but surely very satisfying at the end.
💡 Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about creating leaders. As Sarah Hasan always reminds me: “The best leaders don’t have the right answers. They ask the right questions.”
📢 Which level are you at? What are your challenges in moving your team up the ladder?