The Ultimate Cheat Sheet
Based on executive coaching and scaling best practices
Delegation is the single most important skill for founders to master as they scale. Your ability to let go determines whether your company can grow beyond what you personally can do.
Founders often built their companies by doing everything themselves. That scrappy, hands-on approach is essential early on, but it becomes a liability as the company grows.
If someone can do the task 70% as well as you, delegate it.
They'll get to 90%+ with practice. Meanwhile, you're freed to focus on what only you can do.
Define the task, desired outcome, and resources needed.
Select the right person, communicate clearly, provide authority.
Verify understanding, answer questions, agree on checkpoints.
Check in regularly, offer support, provide feedback (avoid micromanaging).
Review results, recognize success, learn from failures.
Refine the process, expand delegation, build capability.
| ✓ Delegate | ✗ Keep |
|---|---|
| Routine operational tasks | Vision and strategy setting |
| Tasks others can do 70%+ as well | Key hiring decisions |
| Growth opportunities for team | Culture and values leadership |
| Detailed execution work | Investor and board relationships |
| Specialized tasks (where others have expertise) | Crisis management |
Not all delegation is the same. Match the level to the person's experience and the task's risk:
Goal: Progressively move people up the levels as they demonstrate capability.
Delegate to elevate. Let go to grow. Your job as a founder evolves from doing the work to enabling others to do the work. The more effectively you delegate, the more your company can accomplish, and the more your team can develop.
