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Kansas 4-H Tip Sheet

June 16, 2016

Empowering or Dumping Working on Volunteers

Submitted by Pam Van Horn

Recently a friend sent me an article that was written by Eric Geiger titled, “Ten Differences Between Delegating and Dumpster Leadership”.  The article was insightful and thought provoking as I was thinking about delegating and empowering volunteers.  It reminded me of leadership skills needed when delegating tasks within Extension. The article quickly reminded for me how we can all stop and think about who, what, where, why and how of delegating tasks. The title instantly brought to mind two opposite concepts:

1) giving meaningful work with clear expectations and outcomes or 2) getting rid of a task as quickly as possible and moving on.  As I continued reading, the more I was encouraged how we in Extension 4-H might invest and utilize different approaches as we practice effective delegation practices so more can be accomplished.

Here are the 10 opposing differences of effect and dumping delegation from Eric Geiger, (May 23, Monday morning motivator) that could remind us all to use effective skills:

  1. Delegating is strategic and intentional. Dumpter leadership is haphazard.

  2. With delegating, the leader’s heart is still engaged. With Dumpter leadership, the leader has disengaged his/her heart.

  3. With delegation, the leader cares who receives the responsibility.  With dumpter leadership, any warm body will do.

  4. Delegating is proactive. Dumpter leadership is reactive.

  5. With delegation, leaders care about the person developed.  With dumpster leadership, leaders care only about themselves.

  6. With delegation, the leader is available.  In dumpster leadership, the leaders has moved on.

  7. With delegation, the leader shares the responsibility.  With dumpster leadership, the leader just wants the responsibility gone.

  8. With delegation, the leader shares the ownership for the results.  With dumpter leadership, the leader relinquishes all ownership. And often assigns blame.

  9. With delegation, the leader wants to work to develop others.  With dumpster leadership, the leader merely wants work off his/her plate.

  10. Delegating is responsible. Dumpster leadership is negligent.