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Seven Levels of Delegation
Instead of "delegate or not", define precise level: 1 (Tell) to 7 (Delegate fully).
Goal
End delegation ambiguity. Each task has a precise level known to leader and report, preventing "mix-ups".
Steps
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1
Understand 7: 1) Tell, 2) Sell (explain why), 3) Consult (his input before my decision), 4) Agree (decide together), 5) Advise (he decides, I advise), 6) Inquire (he decides, tells me), 7) Delegate (he decides, doesn't need to tell).
Expected Outcome
Immediate
In 3 of 10 tasks, you find gap between your expectation and report's. Source of past surprises.
Evidence base
School: Management 3.0
Founders: Jurgen Appelo (2010)
Coined by Jurgen Appelo in "Management 3.0" (2010). Delegation Poker is companion game. Used at Spotify, ING.
Keywords
Frequently asked questions
How long does "Seven Levels of Delegation" take?
This exercise takes about 30 minutes, practiced solo in a Written reflection format.
When will I notice the effect of "Seven Levels of Delegation"?
In 3 of 10 tasks, you find gap between your expectation and report's. Source of past surprises. In the short term: Within a month, complaints "he decides without me" or "he doesn't decide without me" drop 80%.
Is "Seven Levels of Delegation" evidence-based?
Yes — it draws on Management 3.0 (Jurgen Appelo (2010)). Coined by Jurgen Appelo in "Management 3.0" (2010). Delegation Poker is companion game. Used at Spotify, ING.
Is "Seven Levels of Delegation" suitable for beginners?
Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.
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