Dare to delegate.

"If you want the job done right, do it yourself," is advice that few leaders can afford to embrace. In particular, association executives with small staffs simply can't do it all. Even if you're a staff of one, you need to delegate--in your case to the organization's volunteers.

Following are a few refreshers on effective delegation techniques. For the complete list, compiled by Liraz Publishing Company on its "Managing a Small Business" site, go to www.liraz.com/tdelegat.htm.

Assess routine activities. Determine whether any can be delegated or eliminated.

Do not avoid delegating something because you cannot give someone the entire project. Let the person start with a bite-size piece and after he or she completes it, you can continue assigning larger and larger phases of the task. This can be particularly effective when working with volunteers who have committed to spend extended time working with your association.

Never underestimate a person's potential. Delegate slightly more than you think the person is capable of handling.

Expect completed work from the individuals to whom tasks have been delegated. Encourage them to come to you with alternatives and suggestions for handling a problem.

To see how where your delegation techniques might need refining, take the delegation self-assessment available at www.co.tompkins.ny.us/personnel/training. Click on "Quick Tips" on the left-hand menu, and then select "Delegation Quiz."