Delegation is often easier said than done, however with some planning, you can give your team members (employees and freelancers) more responsibility in a way that works for both you and the team.

The easiest way to get your team to take responsibility is by giving them work that presents them with no other choice than to take responsibility for it.

You achieve this by allowing them to have more input and letting them set their benchmarks of success for their work. It’s important that your team believes in what they’re doing and believes you trust them.

If the work you do with your team is seen as a collaboration, they will be more likely to share in the risk as well as the reward.

Here are 10 ideas how to get your team to take more responsibility:

1. Have a Clear Vision

When training your team members, always remind them of the big vision. A clear vision is crucial for you as a leader, but also for your team in showing them the way forward. Knowing where they are heading helps them be enthusiastic about their destination and take more responsibility. Once the vision is clear, everyone will collaborate with each other to achieve the vision.

2. Share Your Goals

In order for your team to make the right decisions you need to make sure they’re aware of your business goals. That ensures everyone is pulling in the same direction.

3. Become a Role Model

As the saying goes, walk your talk and people will listen. If you take more responsibility, your team will take more responsibility. Become what you want to see in your business before encouraging your team to take more work.

4. Encourage a Sense Of Ownership

When people are more involved in a project, they feel more ownership over their work – and, as a result, more responsibility for the project. Let go of your own ownership and spread it around to the rest of the team.

5. Reward Those Who Take Responsibility

When a team member does step up, it’s important to reward them for setting a good example for others. People will feel noticed, encouraged, and better equipped to continue producing good work – and those who are not taking as much responsibility might be encouraged to do so.

6. Don’t Do It Yourself
While sometimes it is faster and easier to just jump in and do something yourself, in the long-term you’re making your team less capable. If a team member asks a simple question, ask them (in an empowering way) “what do you think is the best way to tackle this?”

7. Let Them Decide How to Do It
Make your expectations and criteria clear, but don’t tell your team the step-by-step approach to solving the problem. They may surprise you with a new approach you hadn’t thought of.

8. Support Their Decisions
Supporting their decisions ensures they feel empowered to continue making decisions. If you disagree with their decision, the best approach is to pull the person quietly aside and gently explain why a different decision might have been better for the business.

9. Step Back and Trust Them

Here’s the real challenge: if you want the freedom that comes with a well-run business, then it’s time to recruit the right people, assign them to the right position, train them properly, mentor them and then leave them alone to get on with their jobs.

10. Correct Them Correctly

First – accept responsibility for the miscommunication. Second – clearly communicate the gap between your expectation and their performance. Third – ask them to come up with ways to close the gap (What actions do they need to take? What resources, time, or help do they need? What, exactly, does success look like? How will you both know that you have achieved it?)

Now It’s YOUR Turn

For five minutes… come up with as many ideas as you can… how could YOU get your team to take more responsibility?