Delegation isn’t about being more trusting or less controlling. It’s about giving someone enough structure to do the work without guesswork. In a recent Fast Company piece, Kathleen Davis outlines what that process looks like: write it down, explain it clearly, check in once, and step back.

Start with written instructions. If you want a task done well, document it. A few screenshots, a bulleted list, or a screen recording is often enough. That way, the task doesn’t depend on memory or your availability. 

Next, walk through the task. Sit next to the person or share your screen. Watch them do it once. Ask them to repeat the key steps, not because they don’t understand but because repeating it helps lock it in. Davis compares it to air traffic control: people repeat back instructions to make sure they heard them right. 

Follow up close to the deadline, a simple check-in helps catch anything that didn’t land. “Did the instructions make sense?” is usually enough. Davis points out that finding out the latest status of projects isn’t to hover but to make sure small problems don’t pile up. 

Once the task is done, it should be let go. If the result is solid, Davis advises to not keep retaking the work. Delegation doesn’t save time unless the task stays off your plate the next time it comes around.