Delegating With Authority Is The First Step To Flat Management
Typically, most small business owners manage their business within a pyramidal management design. In a pyramid management plan, all decisions start from the top and are handed down to the managers for implementation. Managers are skilled in delivering what the boss wants, leaving most of the decisions up to the boss who is the top of the pyramid.
A flat management style would have the owner state his objectives and the managers implement their own plan designed to achieve the objectives stated by the owner. Decision-making for implementation of the strategy rests at the operational level, on the manager’s shoulders where it belongs.
If you’re not ready to develop a flat organization, then keep it pyramidal but when you allocate a job to be done, allocate authority with it. For that job, allow the manager to implement with decision-making authority at will, charged only with achieving the objectives.
It will be a learning experience for all involved and the boss must leave room for the mangers to learn how to truly manage, to develop their leadership skills, to learn how to take ownership of the results, to create a true team approach. That is the goal – for the manager to take ownership of the results and step into true leadership and create a team capable of delivering the objectives. This can only be accomplished if the managers are given the appropriate authority to make decisions.
Delegate with authority, give out the desired objectives and results. Let your managers manage. This is a first step towards creating a flat organization. This frees you to do the job most important for you, the CEO, to do – train, plan, review and respond.
