Do you cringe when you hear the word delegate?
As an independent community pharmacy owner, you probably like to be in control. After all, you made your business what it is today.
It’s often difficult to let go and delegate tasks to your employees, but when it comes to truly being successful, delegation is key.
You can only grow your business so much by yourself; passing off some responsibilities will help you achieve the big dreams you have for your pharmacy.
Check out these five tips on how to successfully delegate tasks to your team and make your pharmacy more successful.
1. Take time to innovate
If you’re constantly busy doing operational tasks and other busy work, you won’t have time to spend coming up with ideas to fuel your big pharmacy dreams.
Innovation is such an important part of growing your business, so try to delegate some of the operational tasks to your pharmacists or pharmacy technicians who are capable of completing them.
The next time you make a to-do list, ask yourself which items on that list someone else could complete. Hand those duties off and use the extra time you’ve created to put your innovative thinking cap on!
2. Hire right
It doesn’t do your pharmacy any good to just hire anybody. You need to surround yourself with employees who are supportive and committed to helping you achieve your goals.
Make sure each of your team members can be trusted to do his or her job well, and is willing to give the job 100 percent.
When hiring pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and non-pharmacy employees, put in the extra effort to properly prepare and ensure they’re the right fit for the job.
For example, consider implementing a test or conduct a second-round interview before deciding to hire someone.
3. Embrace diversity
A diverse team allows for new perspectives, which can help you find a better way of doing things or execute your next big idea.
Your team members need to have skills that complement one another’s, and your own, so that you can delegate tasks that don’t align with your strengths.
For example, maybe you’re less knowledgeable when it comes to marketing your pharmacy. Delegate some of your marketing tasks to an employee who has a knack for it.
Hire employees who have varied ideas and opinions, and allow them to each contribute in their own way.
4. Relinquish control
Trying to do everything yourself is guaranteed to leave you overly stressed. And, it may cause you to eventually burn out.
It’s important to remember that it’s okay to move away from your “Type A” personality, and relinquish some control. After all, if you’re constantly stressed, you won’t be able to reap the rewards of having a successful business.
Start small by delegating a few less important tasks to your employees. Once you build your trust in them, you can delegate some of your larger duties, and feel comfort in knowing they’ll be completed in an efficient and effective manner.
5. Be a leader
There comes a point when you have to stop being a doer, and become a leader.
When you know how to effectively lead your team, delegating becomes a whole lot easier.
Develop your leadership skills by finding a mentor or by reading leadership books. Use what you learn to create a leadership style that works for you and your pharmacy.
The more comfortable you feel leading your team, the more you’ll embrace delegation and the more successful your pharmacy will be.
Follow these 10 tips to improve the success of your pharmacy.
