CareerJournal: Career Opportunities - Career Information - Executive Careers

August 26, 2009

Delegation Quiz

How well do you measure up as a manager who can delegate? Respond to each statement as frankly as possible. Select the answer that best describes your behavior or attitude as it actually is, not as you'd like it to be or think it should be. Candid answers will provide you with the most reliable feedback and make the results more valuable to you.

36 questions; estimated time to take this quiz: 10 minutes. Your answers are not recorded or shared with anyone.

1. Delegation to me means handing over responsibility for results, together with the requisite authority and decision-making power.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
2. No matter what the delegated task is, I try to make it seem like a challenge.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
3. I tend to delegate to the subordinate who has had the best experience with a similar task.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
4. I refrain from giving advice when delegating.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
5. I have full confidence in my subordinates' abilities to shoulder increasingly more difficult responsibilities.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
6. I make sure that important decisions concerning delegated tasks remain within my province.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
7. I insist that the tasks be done according to the methods I’ve outlined.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
8. I make sure that controls are built into all the tasks and projects I delegate.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
9. I'm willing to admit that some of my subordinates are able to do the jobs as well, or better, than I can.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
10. I make sure to acknowledge good performance.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
11. When I have to criticize, I do it fairly, objectively and constructively.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
12. I feel I must be in control of delegated tasks all the time.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
13. My subordinates defer all decisions or problems to me.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
14. I find that work slows down considerably when I'm away from the office.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
15. I'm reluctant to provide feedback when a subordinate turns in a poor performance.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
16. The daily operations are so time-consuming that I have little time left over for long-range planning.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
17. I'm constantly harassed by unexpected emergencies.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
18. Many of my tasks are beyond what my subordinates can handle.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
19. My subordinates are not sufficiently motivated to perform well.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
20. I'm bothered by unfinished business.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
21. I have to retain close control of every detail to have a job done right.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
22. I expect perfection of myself in everything I do.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
23. I'm willing to accept completed tasks that are less than perfect.
Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
24. I'm often bogged down in endless detail.
Agree	Disagree
25. I frequently put in overtime.
Agree	Disagree
26. I often take work home evenings or weekends.
Agree	Disagree
27. There have been occasions when I've taken back a task midstream, without explanation.
Agree	Disagree
28. I work harder than most people in my department.
Agree	Disagree
29. My subordinates seldom come to me to present their ideas.
Agree	Disagree
30. My subordinates seldom show any initiative.
Agree	Disagree
31. I seldom ask a subordinate to do something I would not be willing to do.
Agree	Disagree
32. I often handle routine work to appear busy.
Agree	Disagree
33. Some of my subordinates are out to get my job.
Agree	Disagree
34. If I were promoted today and had to name a successor, I'd have little trouble choosing one.
Agree	Disagree
35. If I were to leave my company today, my department would continue functioning properly.
Agree	Disagree
36. I’m often amazed at the incompetence of my subordinates.
Agree	Disagree

Read the article: Are You Secure Enough to Delegate Effectively?

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