Have you ever found yourself drowning in tasks, complaining about being overwhelmed, but still justifying your workload with thoughts like:
- “It’s faster if I just do it myself.”
- “Their standards/skills aren’t as high as mine.”
- “I need to prove that I can handle it.”
- “Everyone is busy; I feel bad asking people to do more.”
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, trying to juggle too many balls in the air while convincing ourselves that we’re the only ones who can keep them from dropping.
But let’s be honest—those reasons are usually driven by ego, fear, or an unhealthy mix of both.
They often stem from a not-so-fun combination of perfectionism, a reluctance to invest the time in empowering others, and maybe just a splash of martyrdom for good measure.
We tell ourselves that by taking on more, we’re being selfless, but in reality, we’re often just creating a self-fulfilling (and self-perpetuating) prophecy.
So how do we break the cycle? How do we learn to delegate effectively and focus on what truly matters?
That’s exactly what Kate McQuade, Vice President of Marketing at P360, a life sciences SaaS company, reveals this week on this episode of the Speaking to Influence podcast.
Kate shared some powerful insights on collaboration and delegation, offering practical advice on how to decide when to pass the baton and when to keep it.
Collaboration Requires Delegation
Kate emphasized that true collaboration isn’t just about working together—it’s about knowing when to ask for help and when to delegate tasks to others. This requires strength and self-awareness, as well as the humility to recognize that we can’t do it all alone.
When Kate finds herself in a situation where she’s unsure whether to tackle a task herself or delegate it, she asks herself three key questions:
- Is it worth my time? – Is this task the best use of my time, or could I be focusing on something more impactful?
- Is it in my skill set? –Do I have the skills needed to complete this task at the highest level, or is there someone else better (or just as) suited for it?
- Is something else higher on my priority list? – Are there other tasks or goals that should take precedence?
By honestly answering these questions, Kate can prioritize her workload, ensuring that she’s spending her time and energy on the tasks that truly matter while empowering others to contribute their expertise.
Key Insights from the Episode
In the episode, Kate also shared key insights regarding:
- Redirecting conversations: How to get people back on track when discussions veer off course
- Following up: The importance of taking initiative to keep projects moving, even when you're waiting on others
- Pre-writing your future resume: A proactive approach to staying focused on the accomplishments you want to achieve
- Assessing group dynamics: the connection between team dynamics and effective collaboration
And more.
Listen to the full conversation here or watch the video on Youtube here.
By the way – Kate’s three questions also apply to life at home, not just in the workplace. Think of it this way:
- Does it really matter if your kids/partner don’t load the dishwasher or fold the laundry exactly the way you like it?
- Do you have to cook dinner every night? Why can’t Taco Tuesday be Takeout Tuesday? (The restaurant can make them just as well or better than you can anyway.)
- Sure they have homework/sports/music lessons, but you also know they spend an hour or more on Instagram and Snapchat every night… can they really not find time to sweep/vacuum once a week?
As the saying goes, ‘Many hands make light work.’
Food for thought!
