No Substitute for Victory: Lessons in Strategy and Leadership from General Douglas Macarthur

Chapter 31. Delegate Whenever Possible

Micromanagers rarely make great leaders. They bog down in details and risk missing the forest for the trees. It is obviously impossible for leaders to do it all, especially in large organizations. Good leaders avoid this trap by learning to delegate.

Besides being an unavoidable necessity in the leadership of large organizations, delegation offers a variety of benefits. It enables leaders to dedicate time and effort to high-priority tasks. It empowers followers and demonstrates the trust of the leader. It enhances the leadership potential, skills, and confidence of those chosen as delegates. And it creates organizational growth and improved performance through the simultaneous achievement of multiple goals. ...