The State of Delegation 2024

The ability to delegate effectively is the foundation to success. That has been true for centuries, and will continue to be true for centuries to come. 

While the struggles of entrepreneurs have remained more-or-less the same over time, the approaches we take to address those concerns and how we delegate have changed a lot – even in just the last year. As high-performing leaders, we owe it to ourselves to understand how culture has  evolved and, ultimately, envision and embrace the future state of delegation

That’s why we are going to dive deeply into where we started, the inflection points that led us here today, how leadership delegation styles have shifted, and how we think about the future. 

“Delegation Becomes a Thing Era”

So let’s start at the beginning, because as Maya Angelou once said, "You can't really know where you're going until you know where you've been." 

Let’s go way back to the time when men wore wigs and stockings, and high-ranking individuals (usually men) used scribes to document events, maintain records, and complete specific tasks. Back then, leadership and management were not established concepts and delegation was focused on power and authority, rather than efficiency. 

It wasn't until the mid-19th century that delegation theory began to take shape. Figures like Frederick Winslow Taylor introduced principles of scientific management, emphasizing efficiency and task delegation for organizational effectiveness. His ideas marked a shift from hierarchical command to strategic delegation—a shift that laid the groundwork for modern leadership practices.

“Secretarial Evolution Era” 

In between the introduction of these concepts and the Industrial Revolution, the “secretarial evolution era” began. 

During this time we saw the rise of factories and mass production, which demanded the need for better management and coordination. From that need, the secretary role emerged – yet, delegation remained largely transactional, with tasks assigned based on hierarchical structures. But there was a new focus on delegating tasks to increase efficiency and productivity as a way to streamline production.

It wasn't until the 1950s that delegation styles shifted towards more participative and flexible approaches – all shaped by diverse management theories and changes in both society and technology. 

During this time, we also start to see women enter the workforce and solidify the secretarial role as a standard workplace function. This era may look familiar, as shown in shows like Mad Men, which was based in the 1950s.

Now, we hit the late '90s and our next big inflection point happens: the invention of the internet and cell phones. Email and texting became our new communication norms and suddenly, we became instantly accessible with tons of information at our fingertips… and so much work to keep up with.

“Decision Fatigue Era”  

This new era of connectedness is a double-edged sword, creating an expectation for immediate responses and actions, making it absolutely necessary to save time in responding to or completing tasks. 

In this era, delegation is focused on personal leverage and time-saving tactics. It's all about maintaining our sanity in an age where we're expected to do more in less time. The traditional command-and-control style of delegation is being replaced by more collaborative and inclusive approaches.

With the expectation for everyone, especially leaders, we saw admins transition from a one-to-one support model to supporting more than one executive at once. This requires advanced time management and prioritization skills, as admins become the ultimate multitaskers. This shift and realization of the critical importance that the admin function plays in keeping operations running smoothly, the role transformed into a full-fledged career path. 

“Wild West Era”

Now fast-forward a few years to what we affectionately refer to as the “Wild West Era” of our industry: the introduction of virtual assistants (VA). Virtual assistants provide a quick-solve to help managers  clear tasks off  their plates and get a sense of instant gratification – without the commitment or overhead of a traditional full-time assistant. 

While the concept and usage of VAs was gaining popularity in the 2010s, the COVID-19 Pandemic really made it boom. Overnight, remote work and fractional workforce were not just normalized but required to make a business to function. 

We had to learn how to incorporate fractional team members into our accountability charts and to start to delegate within these remote constructs. It was truly a remarkable shift in the future of work for which  the VA model really paved the way.

Flash-forward another four years to where we are today, leaders are still learning how to effectively operate and delegate in remote environments, and now have artificial intelligence tools sprinkled into the mix. 

Here at Delegate, we believe that the introduction of AI is arguably the most transformative influence on the delegation landscape. And while AI-driven technology certainly presents its fair share of challenges, it also paves the way for some very exciting possibilities for the future of delegation. 

Picture this: the combination of AI technology, with an exceptional support partner, working seamlessly in tandem. AI isn’t just about automation; it's about amplifying collaboration power, reducing mental fatigue, and channeling our efforts towards making an impact. 

However, there is now an overabundance of options in the delegation space. We can choose from on-site assistants, US-based virtual assistants, offshore assistants, nearshore assistants. There's even options for personalized matchmaking or leaning into a systematic method like we run at Delegate. 

Bottom line, the marketplace is overwhelming. And it’s become overwhelming to try to find qualified individuals in such a saturated space. 

Our advice? Remember that delegation is complex and human – not transactional. 

Effective delegation is multifaceted and goes far beyond a simple exchange of tasks. It involves many human elements like trust, understanding, and communication. Rather than impulse buying, we recommend approaching delegation strategically, with a focus on connection, long-term impact, and scalability. 

Looking Ahead: Embracing the “Whole Person Era” 

We're seeing a generational desire to create impact through our work. Time Magazine reports that some 70% of Americans say that they define their sense of purpose through work, with Millennials in particular looking for opportunities in their work to contribute to what they believe is their wider purpose. And for the entrepreneurs we work with, that number is definitely near 100%.

This desire to create impact through work translates directly to the future of effective delegation: 

#1: Whole-person delegation for impact 

Effective delegation will transcend the professional realm, and embrace a holistic approach that optimizes and streamlines all aspects of life for individual impact. As leaders seek impact beyond busyness, the focus shifts to managing energy, empowering teams, and fostering a culture of contribution and purpose.

#2: Delegation as a retention strategy 

With employee retention becoming a crucial concern, delegation will emerge as a strategic tool to mitigate attrition risk. Leaders are encouraged to incorporate delegation resources as perks to help key employees manage both personal and professional tasks, reducing frustration and enhancing overall job satisfaction.

#3: Delegate thinking

The most successful leaders will approach delegation as a way to leverage support to maximize personal and professional impact – rather than just offloading menial tasks. They will elevate delegation to encompass decision-making and thought processes and integrate it into their daily workflows to unlock new levels of productivity, fulfillment, and even use it as a tool for talent retention. 

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: delegation strategies will continue to evolve alongside our world and culture. That’s why it’s important to stay informed and adaptable. Keep these trends in mind as you create strategies to continue to develop your teams.