Central Tasks In Directing

Jo-Anne D. Lim, RN

Accountability

The more you control people, the less accountable & responsible they become.

Accountability
Every employee/manager is accountable for the job assigned to him. He is supposed to complete the job as per the expectations and inform his superior accordingly. Accountability is the liability created for the use of authority. It is the answerability for performance of the assigned duties.

 According, to McFarland, "accountability is the obligation of an individual to report formally to his superior about the work he has done to discharge the responsibility

Responsinbility

Whatever happens, take responsibility. Tony Robbins

Responsibility
Responsibility indicates the duty assigned to a position. The person holding the position has to perform the duty assigned. It is his responsibility. The term responsibility is often referred to as an obligation to perform a particular task assigned to a subordinate. In an organization, responsibility is the duty as per the guidelines issued.

 According to Davis, "Responsibility is an obligation of individual to perform assigned duties to the best of his ability under the direction of his executive leader." In the words of Theo Haimann, "Responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to perform the duty as required by his superior. McFarland defines responsibility as "the duties and activities assigned to a position or an executive.

Characteristics of Responsibility
The essence of responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to perform the duty assigned. It always originates from the superior-subordinate relationship. Normally, responsibility moves upwards, whereas authority flows downwards. Responsibility is in the form of a continuing obligation. Responsibility cannot be delegated The person accepting responsibility is accountable for the performance of assigned duties. It is hard to conceive responsibility without authority.

Authority

All authority belongs to the people Thomas Jefferson

Authority
Authority is the right power or assigned to an executive or a manager in order to achieve certain organizational objectives. According to Henri Fayol, "Authority is the right to give orders and the power to exact obedience. According to Mooney and Reily, "Authority is the principle at the root of Organisation and so important that it is impossible to conceive of an Organisation at all unless some person or persons are in a position to require action of others.

AUTHORITY, RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY ARE INTER-RELATED

 They need proper consideration while introducing delegation of authority within an Organisation. In the process of delegation, the superior transfers his duties/responsibilities to his subordinate and also give necessary authority for performing the responsibilities assigned. At the same time, the superior is accountable for the performance of his subordinate.

Assignment & AssignmentMaking

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.

Assignment
Allocation of work load among assigned personnel Assignment making is the process of delegating the duties and all aspects of care for a patient to individual personnel. The assignment includes giving clear, concise directions, and delegating the responsibility and the authority for the performance of the care.

Assignment Making
The education, skill, knowledge, and judgment levels of the personnel being assigned to a task must be relative to the assignment. The expected outcome of the assignment, time frame for completion, and any limitations on the assignment should be specified when the assignment is made.

Delegation
We accomplish all that we do through delegation -- either to time or to other people.

Stephen R. Covey

Delegation
Delegate- to entrust to another; to appoint as ones representative; to assign responsibility or authority. Delegation- the act of empowering to act for another. "Delegation is defined as the transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one person to another"

 Delegation means directing the performance of one or more people to accomplish organizational goals. It provides learning or stretching opportunities for subordinates. Increases power. It is a managerial tool for subordinate accomplishment and enrichment.

Fot nurses, delegating is not an option, but a necessity.

DIRECT DELEGATION VS. INDIRECT DELEGATION

Direct Verbal Direction regarding -Activity -Task in a specific nursing care situation. Indirect is done using an approved listing of activities or tasks that have been established in the policies and procedures of the health care institution or facility.

DO NOT CONFUSE DELEGATION WITH SUPERVISION!!!

UNDERDELEGATION

Underdelegation
Usually occurs when a person is in a new job role Potential causes: Trying to avoid resentment from old guard staff Not knowing who to delegate to Not knowing scope of staff duties

 Fear that delegation may be interpreted as a lack of ability to do the job completely or correctly A desire to complete the job by himself/ herself
Seeking approval by demonstrating competency

OVERDELEGATING

OVERDELEGATING
Poor managers of time who spend too much time trying to get organized. Insecurity in the ability of others. Beyond the capability of the person or something that the manager should do.

Cause of Improperly Delegating:

Wrong time, to the wrong person, or for the wrong reason.

Reminder:
Managers should ask individuals to whom they are delegating if they are capable of completing the delegated task, but should also validate this perception by DIRECT OBSERVATION.

The Benefits of Delegation are:

1- Delegation encourages the initiative of subordinates and creates room for them to grow. 2- It frees managers for other priorities, including planning, organizing and directing.

3- Controlling the organization itself.

Process of delegation:
Select a capable person. Explain the task and expected outcomes. Give the necessary authority and means for doing the job. Arrange to keep in contact and give feedback.

In making a decision to delegate nursing activities the following five factors can be assessed:
1. Potential for harm. 2. Complexity of the nursing activity. 3. Required problem solving and innovation. 4. Predictability of outcomes. 5. Extent of client interaction.

Five rights of Delegation:

1. Right task. 2. Right person. 3. Right circumstance. 4. Right direction/communication. 5. Right supervision.

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what you want to achieve, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

BARRIERS

Barriers to delegation in the delegator Barrier on the part of delegatee Barriers in the situation

 Barriers to delegation in the delegator

Lack of confidence and trust in subordinates. The belief that the manager himself can do it only. Low self confidence, insecurity, fear that subordinate might subsequently jeopardize his position. Prestige and power consciousness. Lack of skills in communication.

 Barrier on the part of delegatee

Lack of technical competence and skills required to carry out a task. Lack of willingness to accept responsibility. Lack of initiative. Lack of self confidence. Fear of loss of power. Lack of control. Inadequate reward. Have more work than they can do.

 Barriers in the situation: Inadequate support, hurried atmosphere, hostile management

 Overcoming this barrier: The delegator must accept that part of his activity is done by others. The delegator emphasizes that the behavior of people is the key to productivity and success depends on motivated and skilled employee who are committed to organizational objectives. Recognize what are the causes that prevent delegation.

Delegation is...

Delegation is not...

Two way relation A continuing process Giving authority to subordinates Letting subordinates use personal initiative Premitting subordinate to control Encouraging initiative and teamwork Giving coaching

A relation from higher to lower Something we do only once Using authority Taking decisions for subordinates Distributing workloads only Controlling subordinate Passing one's responsibilities on others Directing

Delegation always involves two persons, the manager delegator and staff member delegatee.

The delegator needs to be sufficiently aware of the personal strength, weakness and capabilities of the delegatee.

- Delegation require critical thinking and sound clinical decision making, it increase rather than decrease nurses responsibilities

CHEERS TO THE FREAKIN WEEKEND!!!