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Steven Claes – The A+ Introvert - Delegation Decoded
I was terrified to let go. Then I discovered the introvert's secret to delegation.
Steven Claes
July 26, 2025 • Reading Time: 7 minutes
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Hey there friend!
I was sitting in my car after another 12-hour day, staring at my phone.
Three missed calls from my team.
Fourteen urgent emails.
A leadership succession plan that should have been done weeks ago.
My chest felt tight. You know that feeling when you're drowning in work, but somehow convinced that only you can do it right?
That was me some time ago during our biggest hiring rush.
Three major HR projects running simultaneously, and I was the bottleneck for everything.
The introvert's curse: We'd rather burn out than risk losing control.
But then I tried something that scared me.
I gave each task to the person who knew it best, told them exactly what I needed, and stepped back.
Want to know what happened?
Job offers went out on time.
I finished the succession plan two days early.
The team felt trusted and worked faster.
Delegation isn't about losing control; It's about multiplying your impact.
And for introverts like us, it's the key to protecting our energy while scaling our influence.
Today’s Focus
Why smart delegation boosts results and morale
Select → Set Context → Support: a 3‑step delegation script
A 5‑day exercise to test it (perfect for introverts)
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Why Delegation Works (Especially for Introverts)
The data is clear: A meta‑analysis in the Journal of Management found teams with shared leadership deliver projects ~30 % faster than leader‑centric teams.
CEO’s who delegate bring in 33% more revenue than those who try to do everything themselves (article Inc.).
Employees with clear ownership report higher engagement and lower turnover (Gallup).
But here's what the research doesn't tell you: For introverts, delegation isn't just about efficiency. It's about survival.
We have limited social energy. Every meeting drains us. Every interruption costs us recovery time.
When you delegate effectively, you're not just freeing up calendar space. You're protecting your energy for the deep work that only you can do.
The truth is: The right person owning the task means quality rises and you reclaim time for strategy.
The Select → Set Context → Support Method
After years of struggling with delegation (and plenty of failures), I’ve refined this to three simple steps:
Step 1: Select
Match the task with the person who's closest to the work or needs the stretch. Ask yourself: "Who already touches this?"
Why it works: Keeps expertise and learning aligned. No need for extensive explanations.
Step 2: Set Context
Explain the "why," desired outcome, and deadline. Example: "Goal: launch new onboarding page by Aug 15 to cut new-hire confusion."
Why it works: People act faster when they see purpose and success criteria. Less back-and-forth for you.
Step 3: Support
Agree on check-ins (weekly 10-min sync), then step back. Provide resources, remove roadblocks, avoid micromanaging.
Why it works: Builds trust, ensures progress, frees your time. Perfect for introverts who need space.
Your pocket script
"I'm delegating [task] to you because [reason]. The goal is [outcome] by [deadline]. Let's check in [frequency]. What do you need from me to succeed?"
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Quiet Fuel of the Week
Resource | What It Is | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
Tool | Visual board to track tasks, owners, and checkpoints; great for quick hand‑offs | |
Read | Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy | Shifts thinking from “How do I do this?” to “Who is the best person to own this?” |
Watch | How To Delegate Tasks As A Manager – Take 9 Action For Better Results | Short, practical video on setting outcome, deadline, and authority. |
Your 5-Day Challenge (Introvert-Friendly)
Monday: List three tasks on your plate that don't require your level of authority. Be honest about what you're holding onto out of fear.
Tuesday: For one task, apply Select. Choose the right owner and write down why they're perfect for it.
Wednesday: Set Context in writing: outcome, deadline, success measure. Send it before your next coffee break.
Thursday: Schedule brief check-ins (no micromanaging). Put them on your calendar now.
Friday: Email me one line: "Delegating ______ freed me to ______."
Track this: Count how many hours you freed for strategic work by delegating. Compare that to last week's total.
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Coming Next Week
Feedback Without Fear - How to Give Clear Guidance That Builds Trust
A simple script to deliver honest feedback without awkwardness.
Final Thoughts
Delegation isn't losing control. It's multiplying results.
Select the right person.
Set Context so success is obvious.
Support just enough.
Try it once this week.
Watch quality rise and free space return.
Then drop me a note (I read/reply to every response), and your wins fuel my next newsletter.
You're not meant to carry everything alone.
That's not leadership >> that's martyrdom.
Lead by sharing, not hoarding.
— Steven
P.S. Know a leader buried in tasks? Forward this. They'll thank you for the breathing room.
P.P.S. Want daily introvert leadership insights? Click here to connect with me directly.
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