Ok, holidays are over and we are back. Our same old chair, the desk, the coat stand remain in an unchanged place. Everything is in the very spot that we left them when we closed the door and left for some wonderful days off. Yet something is different.

The decision to leave was not easy because you felt that everything was going to be torn apart; but everything is in its place. That is what is different. Now you know that you have done a good job shaping your teamwork. They have done things just fine. The tasks that had to be ready were completed splendidly. Yes, the myth has been destroyed. It is not true the saying “If you want something done, you have to do it yourself.”

When the boss is away and everything keeps going on well that is when you know you are a good leader. Whether you are a corporate executive, a retail manager, or a stay at home parent, being able to delegate responsibilities is a critical skill for making the most of your personal effectiveness. A good leader is not the chief that shouts instructions that everyone has to execute by the letter. He or she is the one that allows the team to do things. It is the person that gives personal guidance and directions and is smart enough to step aside and let things happen. The good surprise is that even when you are not around things get along smoothly.

So, now that holidays are over, that you got your good rest, it is time to profit the discoveries that you are finding out now. It is the time to celebrate the good surprises that came along with your absence. As a leader, you need to be confident in the actions and decisions of your team. This confidence will, in turn, give assurance to those who are looking towards you for guidance. Confidence means being sure of those decisions and not wavering when you are not around.

Aside from a clear and rested mind, vacations give us the opportunity to know some good details about the performance of the people around you, as individuals and as a crew. It is the chance to acknowledge the enactment of the persons that work with you side by side on an everyday basis. So make some inquests. Be a good detective. Ask about who did what. Think logically and realistically. Here is the golden opportunity to get some things done; maybe that work that you cannot complete by yourself can be prepared by that someone you did not have in mind before the holidays. If so, you should probably be prepared to delegate some of your work. Do not feel ashamed or incompetent because you need help with something, you are actually being a more effective leader by getting help when you need it.

Besides, if you are not enthusiastic about your teamwork's development, others can notice. Mistrust is one of the greatest weaknesses in a leader´s shape. Frontrunners need to be a source of buoyancy by showing their enthusiasm towards the group they are leading. They need to be willing to delegate. It is a matter of transmitting positive energy and a positive commitment to your staff.

In other words, it is time to set the ego apart. Learn to trust others. If you were afraid of delegating because you did not think anyone could do as good of job as you can, now you know you were wrong. Remember two things: First of all, almost anyone can get good at something with good advice and enough practice. Secondly, no one is as universally talented as one thinks. When you delegate work, you are not just freeing time up for yourself, you are also giving your staff a chance to practice a new skill or tackle a new kind of assignment. Was it not the matter during your holidays?

As soon as you know who did the things correctly, prepare yourself. It is training time. Be patient, Rome was not built in one day. The reality is that no matter how smoothly things went on during vacations, if you want to delegate some activities you have to train. Yes, you are the one that has the know-how: share it. With enough time, your collaborator will probably be able to do the delegated work about as well as you could have.

Be smart. It is a good time to select some of the good pearls among your staff, but do not get hasty. You should almost always set aside a little time to teach your chosen ones how to do the task you have delegated, even if it's a fairly easy one. Remember that processes that seem straightforward and simple to you might not be so simple to someone who has never dealt with them in an everyday basis before. Be ready not only to walk through the work you have delegated. You have to answer the questions. Consider the time you spend training to be a wise long-term investment. By spending a little time teaching to do a task correctly, you save time in the future that might have otherwise been spent correcting mistakes. If you feel that you are too busy, make some time to start the training and then delegate the activity to some expert. But be the one to start the process. Back off your team.

Allocate the resources necessary to complete the task. You may have assets available that are essential to complete the assignment but the person given the job may not be able to access them. Things like password-protected data, specialized equipment, and certain tools can be vital to the completion of this new responsibility, so make sure your collaborator has whatever is needed to succeed.

Do not get greedy, your chosen one can only do one thing at a time. If you push too hard, mistakes will overcome. Be aware that when you train someone to do something, you're making an investment. At first, it will slow you down, but in the long run, it will increase productivity by leaps and bound, for you have approached the whole thing with a positive and realistic attitude.

So, after holidays, now that you are rested and relaxed, now that your mind is in peace and your energies are collected, maybe it is time to start thinking of two important things: Delegating and Training. Good luck. The first step had already been taken when you decided to go on vacation, do not stop, and keep on going.