I have a virtual executive assistant. Her name is Misty. She lives 999 miles away from me. A virtual executive assistant management firm connected us. After observing us for several months, eaHelp.com asked me to be a presenter on a webinar talking about delegation. This was fine as long as I could talk about more than delegation.
I talked about assignment, delegation, and collaboration. They are all related, but not the same thing. Since my life has been spent in Christian leadership, my knowledge about these work patterns is within this context. Monkeys are an essential part of this conversation. It is all about where the monkey is and what impact the monkey is having.
I commend virtual executive assistants to pastors, denominational leaders, parachurch leaders, and itinerant consultants and coaches. It can be a great assistance to you if you receive a clear orientation in how to effectively use such a person. Good technology and communication skills are also of great value to make this relationship work.
Assignment, Delegation, and Collaboration
Delegation is an all-purpose word used for things a person empowers their virtual executive assistant to do. Not all delegations are true delegations. The accountability for accomplishing tasks often remains with the person delegating to an assistant.
One way to look at it is to ask the question, “Where is the monkey?” Let’s use me as an example. What things do I feel ownership of that must be done exactly my way or they are inadequate? What things must be done now whether or not my assistant is available?
What am I willing to give away? Where do I need someone else’s eyes and perspective? Can I be fully honest with myself and Misty about my feelings and preferences? What do I hold back? These and other things must be decided over time for you and your virtual executive assistant to have a great mutual journey.
I distinguish between assignments, delegations, and collaborations. This is where the monkey comes in. When I make assignments to Misty, and I want to retain ownership of that action or project, I keep wearing the monkey around my shoulders and feeling the weight of responsibility and accountability.
When I delegate, I give her the monkey and offer her the responsibility and accountability for our mutual journey. The more I delegate to her, the more she helps me. The less I delegate to her, the more I continue to feel the weight of the monkey. If I only give her assignments, I might as well do it all myself. I am wasting my money, her time, and failing to use her God-given gifts, skills, and capacities.
Some things start out as assignments and then modulate to delegations. Here is an example: the Columbia Partnership publishes books. We order books for clients and customers through our back office publisher’s fulfillment center.
When Misty and I began our mutual journey, I made a book order with her listening in. Later she made an order with me listening in. That was an assignment to her. Then I delegated ordering books to her. Now she does it flawlessly. Periodically she will ask questions or I will need to tell her about special circumstances regarding an order. The bottom line is that I do not talk with the fulfillment center any more.
A third dimension of relationship is collaboration. Often this is around exploratory issues where we are trying to figure out how to do something better or what tool will work for us. In collaboration we become equals or partners. We lay the monkey aside as no one needs to wear it or feel its weight.
One example of collaboration is this article. She has inspired in me these ideas through our working relationship. Without her partnership this article would not be as worthwhile. I am more fulfilled because of my working relationship with her. Misty, are you more fulfilled because of our mutual journey?
Misty’s Response: Absolutely. Mutual journey perfectly describes our working relationship. George has taught me new skills I would not have imagined myself doing such as publishing eBooks. He always communicates his delegations impeccably and is patient with my questions. He is tremendously organized which creates a solid base for our mutual journey.
One very thoughtful action George does is taking the time to explain where my assigned tasks fit into the big picture of his ministry. That one action is extremely motivating for me and makes my job rewarding. Taking part in George’s ministry journey is a true blessing.