Team,

I want to share something that took me wayyy too long to figure out.

When I first started hiring people, I tried to delegate everything at once. It was complete chaos.

I'd hand someone a project, disappear, and come back to find... nothing like what I expected. Or worse, nothing at all :)

So I'd take it back. Do it myself. Tell myself "nobody can do this like me."

Sound familiar?

Here's what nobody tells you about delegation: Most people don't get as much work done as they'd like because they don't know HOW to delegate. 

They think delegation is binary - either you do it or someone else does.

But after years of getting this wrong, I finally understood there are actually four distinct stages of delegation. And here's the kicker: Everyone typically jumps to stage 4, but in reality, you need to stair-step your way there.

Let me break down the framework that changed everything for how I lead:

Stage 1: Investigation

You delegate the research process to someone and have them summarize their findings to you.

Example: "Go research three manufacturers for our product line and bring me a report."

You're not asking them to make decisions. You're asking them to gather information. This is where trust begins.

Stage 2: Informed Progress

You delegate a task, then the teammate gives you regular updates at specific milestones.

Example: "Set up our influencer marketing campaign and check in with me at these three points so I can give feedback."

They're executing, but you're still in the loop. You're building their confidence and yours.

Stage 3: Informed Results

You give a task to your teammate. They update you once it's complete. No action required on your behalf until delivery is done.

Example: "Launch the new product line. I don't need updates. Just bring me the results when it's done."

They own the process. You just see the outcome.

Stage 4: Complete Ownership

You assign a task/project and don't need any further reporting.

Example: "This is your department now. Run it as if it's your own company."

This is ownership - where that person's not just owning the task, but they're owning the outcome without any oversight from you at all.

The mistake everyone makes:

You can't go from doing everything yourself straight to Stage 4. That's like teaching someone to swim by throwing them in the ocean. Not gonna f*ckin work! (atleast for most of us lol)

Each person starts at Stage 1 on each task. As they prove themselves, you move them up. Some people on some tasks might never get past Stage 2. That's fine. Others will race to Stage 4 in weeks.

The point is: You must earn each stage with each person on each task.

Think about it… if someone came to you today with zero context and said "just own this completely," you'd probably fail too. Not because you're incompetent, but because you don't have the foundation yet.

So here's what I want you to do this week:

Look at everything on your plate. Pick ONE thing you've been meaning to delegate but haven't because "nobody can do it like you."

Start them at Stage 1. Just investigation. See what happens.

Because here's the truth: The team you want is on the other side of learning to let go in stages, not all at once.

Have a great week 🙏🏼

-Leila