5 Critical Roles Business Owners Should Never Delegate

Business Owners have a tendency to involved themselves in too many of the day-to-day details of their business.  It is important for them to hire talented people and then delegate to them the majority of the tasks that are required for the business to function.

But there are some tasks they should NEVER delegate.  Here are my top 5:

1 – Setting the Vision for the Future.

This assignment belongs to the business owner.  They must be able to articulate the future they hope to create with and for their business.  This is not a team-task or a committee activity.  It is the responsibility of the business owner.  It must be driven by their person desire and passion for making a difference in the future with their business.

2 – Setting the Performance Standards. 

Every business operates to a standard.  It is a primary role of the business owner to define the specific performance standards they expect and demand from their team.  The standards will reflect the attitude and beliefs of the business owner and should represent the level of performance necessary to generate exceptional customer loyalty.

3 – Establishing the “Non-Negotiables” (Culture). 

Every business environment has an attitude, feeling or what most call a “culture”.  It is the role of the business owner to clearly articulate and define the culture that they want to exist in the business.  By defining these “non-negotiables”, the behaviors that will be required and those that will not be tolerated, the business owner will set the expectations for all current team members – and provide a standard from which to select future team members.

4 – Setting Customer Engagement Standards. 

How the business interacts with their customers is critical to differentiation.  It is the role of the business owner to define the uniqueness that they will deliver to their customers by defining the customer engagement standards for everyone on the business team.  Done well, this can set a business apart from all competitors in the experiences of their customers.

5 – Determine Performance Metrics. 

Knowing how to keep score is critical for business success.  Establishing the methods and measures for keeping score belongs to the business owner and should not be delegated.  While the tracking and posting of results can and should be delegated to others on the team, the business owner must set the rules and protocols related to measuring success.