Delegation: The drug I never knew I needed

Author

Jeannette Reyes
March 06, 2025

The Art of Delegation: From Agnostic to Evangelist

These days, I've become a bit of a zealot about delegation (which is funny because I spent years as a delegation agnostic). I joke that I'm a recent convert to the lifestyle, but the truth is, I was forced into it after hitting a wall.

Why? I simply can’t scale my business while being involved in every detail, personally and professionally. Something had to give. 🤯

When I tell you that delegating has been like a drug, I'm not exaggerating. This euphoric feeling washes over you when you realize you have time to breathe and yet things are still getting done. 

It's truly a win-win situation that has transformed my life and work.

What Delegation Is (and Isn't) 

Delegation isn't simply about offloading tasks you dislike or find tedious. When you delegate effectively, you're not just clearing your plate; you're creating growth opportunities (for yourself and others).

That said, the art of delegation requires honest self-assessment.

You have to be realistic about what you can and cannot do effectively, and accept that you could probably do it yourself—perhaps even better—but at what expense?

Your precious time? Your mental health? Your ability to focus on high-impact work? 👀

To this end, don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Sometimes "done" is just as valuable as "perfect," especially when it creates space to tackle the things only you truly can do.

How to Delegate Effectively on the Job

When determining what to delegate, ask yourself:

  • Is this task essential to my core function or expertise?

  • Could someone else complete this at 80% of my quality but in half the time?

  • Am I the bottleneck in this process?

  • Would delegating this free me to focus on higher-value activities?

  • Is performing this task myself the best use of my limited time?

Effective delegation requires investment. I hired experts who could elevate tasks beyond my capabilities. I had honest discussions with my team about what I no longer needed to manage. I empowered people I trust to make decisions independently.

For my podcast, "Awf the Record," this meant bringing on a social media manager and a production assistant. This improved our content quality while freeing me to focus on what I do best: connecting with guests and creating meaningful conversations.

Bringing Delegation Home

The delegation revolution hasn't stopped at my office door. My husband and I have recently implemented weekly meetings to look ahead and identify areas where we need support.

We've started using the Skylight Calendar. This digital family calendar displays everyone's schedules in one place. (And no, this is not sponsored by Skylight—I just LOVE  it that much, and everyone should know about it!) 

Every night, I add tasks to our shared to-do list for the next day, and Robert checks it in the morning to get started. This system has done wonders! It keeps us on the same page and helps me clearly communicate where I need support.

 When I shared this purchase with my followers, many wanted to learn more, while others mentioned they were already using it (and were obsessed as well!). 

One follower and fellow Skylight user, @karoliiinnne, shared these tips:

  1. Share the load. Have your family download the app and add to it. 

  2. Schedule setup time. Block out specific time to sync calendars, enter birthdays, add recurring activities, and log appointments. 

  3. Make it a habit. Don't wait to add something that takes less than a minute. Update it in real time before you forget.

Beyond Skylight, I rely on Google Calendar for team scheduling, Slack for quick communication, Spark for email management, and Calendly to eliminate scheduling back-and-forth.

The Reality Check: I'm Still Learning to Break Free From the “Do It All” Mentality

I’m not going to lie; developing my delegation skills has come with a steep learning curve. Last week, I caught myself micromanaging my husband, wanting something done in a very particular way. 

Some days, I crush it at letting go; other days, I revert to old habits. 😵‍💫

The difference now? I recognize when I'm doing it and course-correct faster. This feels especially resonant during Women's History Month. According to Forbes, women leaders in particular struggle with delegation due to overwhelm, perfectionism and fear of appearing weak. Research shows this makes women more likely to experience burnout than their male counterparts.

Our "superwoman syndrome" stems from social conditioning that taught us to nurture and multitask.

The truth? Multitasking isn't heroic. It's a path to burnout, reducing productivity by up to 40%. 

This month, I challenge you to embrace a new mindset: your value isn't in how much you handle alone but in how effectively you collaborate to create something greater than any individual could accomplish.

Your worth isn't measured by your exhaustion. Your value doesn't increase with each item on your to-do list. You deserve support. You deserve space to breathe. You deserve to focus on the things that truly light you up.

Delegation isn't surrender—it's strategy. And sometimes, the most powerful thing a queen can do is share her crown. 👸🏽

"The Psychology of Money" reveals how our behaviors and mindsets shape financial success.

A game-changer for busy families, keeping schedules clear and central!

Date night at one of my fave DC hotels 

❝

If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, delegate.

Arianna Huffington

What happens when you walk away from a hit show at the peak of your career? Kamie Crawford knows firsthand.

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