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Delegation Skill Practice Exercise

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Time Management exercise : Delegation Skill practice exercise

Time Management Exercise: Delegation Skill Practice

Category: Games & Activities

Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes

Group Size: Groups of three participants

Facilitator Tip: Coach for clarity, not control. Delegation works when the what and why are crystal clear, and the how is negotiated.

Learning Objectives

  • Build confidence in effectively delegating tasks through clear communication and expectation setting.
  • Develop skills for providing support and follow-up during delegation.
  • Enhance understanding of common delegation challenges and how to overcome them.

Materials Needed

  • Printed or digital Delegation Observer Worksheet (see below)
  • Timers or stopwatches
  • Optional: Role description cards to clarify responsibilities

Setup & Instructions

  1. Ask each participant to think of one task they dislike or struggle with most in their job that they would like to delegate.
  2. Divide participants into groups of three, assigning roles as Delegator, Employee, and Observer.
  3. Round 1:

    • Delegator explains the task: Delegator describes the task to the Employee (2 minutes).
    • Delegation practice: Delegator delegates the task, clarifying expectations, timelines, and support (8 minutes).
    • Observer feedback: Observer provides structured and constructive feedback using the worksheet (5 minutes).
  4. Rotate roles clockwise and repeat until all participants have experienced each role.
  5. Keeps rounds timed and manage smooth transitions between roles.

Delegation Observer Worksheet

  • Did the delegator explain the task clearly?
  • Was the reason for delegation communicated?
  • Did the delegator clarify deadlines or timelines?
  • Were performance expectations clearly stated?
  • Did the delegator check for understanding from the employee?
  • Was support or guidance offered if needed?
  • Observer’s general feedback or comments:

Trainer Tips

  • Model effective delegation briefly before the exercise to set expectations.
  • Encourage observers to notice tone, body language, and communication clarity.
  • Promote a psychologically safe environment to encourage honest and constructive feedback.
  • Address common barriers such as fear of loss of control or lack of trust during debrief.

Debrief & Reflection Questions

  • What challenges did you face when delegating or receiving delegated tasks?
  • How did the observer’s feedback help improve your delegation approach?
  • What strategies can you use to improve delegation in your workplace?
  • How can delegation contribute to better time management and team productivity?

Variations & Extensions

  • Introduce delegation scenarios of varying urgency and complexity to simulate real workplace demands.
  • Use longer-term buddy systems for participants to practice delegation skills beyond the training.
  • Adapt exercise for virtual teams using breakout rooms and digital collaboration tools.

Related Training Material Package

Explore our comprehensive Time Management Training Material Package for further resources, trainer guides, and exercises to master delegation and other time management skills.

Get Started Today

Use this practical delegation exercise to develop your team’s skills in task assignment, communication, and support. Empower effective leadership and boost productivity by making delegation an intentional and well-practiced habit.

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Training resources from TrainingCourseMaterial.com — instant download, fully editable, trainer-friendly.


Frequently Asked Questions

What tasks are best to delegate in this exercise?

Choose recurring, teachable tasks with clear outcomes—good enough for practice but meaningful enough to matter.

How do I ensure quality without micromanaging?

Agree on a definition of done, checkpoints, and risks up front. Review artifacts, not every step.

What if the employee pushes back?

Explore capacity and priorities, restate the purpose, and co-create support (training, pairing, smaller first slice).

How do we adapt this for remote teams?

Use breakout rooms, timers, and shared docs. Replace role cards with a short scenario slide.

How should follow-up be handled after delegation?

Book a short mid-point check, confirm ownership in writing, and capture risks/next step in a one-line note.





delegation skill practice activity round1
delegation skill practice activity round2
delegation skill practice activity round3

Delegation observer worksheet

 

Did the delegator explain the importance of the task?

Comments :

 

YesNo

Did the delegator explain how to do the task?

Comments :

 

YesNo

Did the delegator present the expected results in a SMART goal?

Comments :

 

YesNo

Did the delegator give the employee the authority to do the task?

Comments:

 

YesNo

Did the delegator set a deadline and checkpoints?

Comments:

YesNo

Did the delegator ask the employee to summarize the task?

Comments:

YesNo

Did the delegator encourage the employee to ask questions?

Comments:

 

YesNo
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