One of the biggest roadblocks to effective delegation is the belief that no one else can do the job as well as you can. And you’re probably right. But here’s the secret: they don’t have to.
The key to successful delegation isn’t demanding perfection—it’s being okay with someone getting it 80% right.
Why 80% is Good Enough
When you delegate, you’re not just offloading tasks; you’re investing in people. If you expect perfection every time, you’ll either avoid delegating altogether or micromanage so much that it defeats the purpose. Instead, recognize that 80% right still gets the job done, and the remaining 20% is an opportunity for growth.
Here’s why this mindset shift is powerful:
It Enables Scale – If you insist on doing everything yourself, you’ll eventually hit a ceiling. Delegation allows you to focus on higher-impact work while others take on responsibilities and develop their skills.
It Builds Stronger Teams – People learn by doing. If you never give them the chance to take ownership, they won’t improve. By allowing for mistakes and iteration, you help them grow.
It Increases Efficiency – Waiting for perfection slows everything down. When 80% is good enough, you get things moving faster and can refine later if needed.
It Frees You Up – The less you cling to tasks that others can handle (even imperfectly at first), the more time you have for strategic work, leadership, and innovation.
How to Make 80% Feel Comfortable
If letting go feels uncomfortable, try these steps to make delegation more effective:
Clearly Define Success – Outline what “done” looks like and set clear expectations, but leave room for different approaches. Set expectations around audience and timeline. And be sure to include some time to refine the 20%.
Provide Guidance, Not Control – Give direction but avoid micromanaging. Trust that your team will get there, even if they take a different route.
Create Feedback Loops – Instead of demanding perfection upfront, create a process for iteration. Check in, course-correct if needed, and let them learn.
Celebrate Progress – Acknowledge effort and improvement. The more confident your team feels, the better they’ll perform over time.
The Payoff: More Time, Less Stress, Better Results
When you embrace the 80% rule, you unlock real delegation. You’ll gain back time, reduce stress, and build a more capable, independent team. And over time? That 80% will edge closer to 100%—without you having to hover over every detail.
So next time you hesitate to delegate, ask yourself: Is 80% good enough? If the answer is yes, then let go and let your team rise to the challenge.