In this solo episode, Megan Long breaks down why so many Seconds-in-Command and Integrators struggle with delegation, usually because it was modeled poorly for them or they've fallen into the trap of thinking "it's faster if I just do it myself."

The game-changer comes from understanding two critical frameworks: first, before giving any feedback, ask yourself "is this preference or is this policy?" Most leaders waste time correcting work that's different from how they'd do it, not work that's actually wrong. Second, there are five levels of delegation—from "carry out instructions" for new employees to "act independently" for trusted team members—and the biggest mistake is not being clear about which level you're using before handing off work.

For Seconds-in-Command specifically, you need to factor in what your CEO will ask you about and remember that your entrepreneur's preferences become policy, even when they seem trivial. When you get delegation right, you're not just getting work off your plate, you're building the skill sets of your team.

You'll hear all about:

01:32 - Breaking the mental stigma around delegation: it's not about dumping tasks, it's about developing people and giving opportunities for growth

02:53 - Common false narrative: "It's faster if I just do it myself" because you don't like how they do it

03:16 - Delegation Secret #1: Preference vs. Policy - Before giving feedback, ask yourself if the work needs to change to be correct, or if it's just different than how you'd do it

03:48 - Real-world example: The agenda with mixed fonts and no icebreaker - is this worth feedback?

04:46 - The flip side: Ruinous empathy from Kim Scott's "Radical Candor" - when you avoid giving necessary policy feedback to protect feelings

05:17 - Delegation Secret #2: The Five Levels of Delegation - delegation isn't all-or-nothing; clarity on the level is key to success

05:57 - Level 1: Carry Out Instructions - for new employees or when you've already made the decision

06:42 - Level 2: Research and Report - gathering information while you reserve decision-making

06:56 - Level 3: Research and Recommend - they provide pros, cons, and their opinion; you give final authorization

07:24 - Level 4: Decide and Inform - they make the decision and tell you after; high trust, just avoiding surprises

08:06 - Level 5: Act Independently - highest level; full autonomy with no required reporting back

08:57 - How to choose the right delegation level: consider who's doing the work, your trust level, criticality of work, and what your CEO will ask you

10:12 - Creating a success checklist before delegating so you can define what "nailing it" looks like regardless of preference

10:40 - The exception to preference vs. policy: When it's the entrepreneur's preference, treat it like policy

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