Welcome to the 2nd issue of The Bright Side! It’s been about 4 weeks since the first issue and I am still doing it – that’s a win in itself! Especially, considering how many times I contemplated hitting that send button the first time and imagining how many people would unsubscribe immediately or dislike what I have to say. But guess what? Nobody has unsubscribed so far.
We often stand in our own way and overthink possible consequences. What’s the worst case that can happen? You learn something and you try again. And, on a side note, you’d also be surprised how quickly people forget or, on the other hand, even commend you for trying.
I also want to give a huge shout-out to my “coffee and lunch dates”. Thank you for providing your input, ideas and feedback. Your encouragement and support means a lot to me. Thank you!
What are our topics for today?
- Delegation Done Right: 4 Keys to Set Expectations and Drive Results
- BrightPath Updates: Blog and speaking engagement
- Self-Reflection in “the zone”
Delegation Done Right: 4 Keys to Set Expectations and Drive Results
Delegation shouldn’t feel like a gamble—but too often, it does. We think we’re clear, but the results tell another story. Here are 4 keys to delegating effectively and setting your team up for success:
- Start With Why
To delegate a task we need to make sure the other person understands why they were put in charge of the task, why this task is important and how this task fits into the big picture. - Definition of Done
We need to specify exactly what the definition of done is. We need to be as specific as possible. - Provide Key Steps
If there are any key steps that MUST be completed along the way, you need to explicitly state them. - Ensure Understanding
Your job is not done when you are done talking. Your job is done when the other person actually UNDERSTOOD the assignment.
I also want to mention here, that prior to delegating a task, it’s key to select the right person. For example, think about how their strengths can play into completing the task and set them up for success from the beginning.
Want more tools to refine your delegation process? Check out this Delegation Checklist I came across recently.
BrightPath Updates
We launched our blog Growing Beyond and we will be publishing 1-2 articles per month. There are currently two posts online:
Turkey, Talent and Table Talk: A Fun Guide to Strengths-Spotting at the Dinner Table and
Healing Health Care: How CliftonStrengths and Leadership Coaching Can Solve Industry-Wide ChallengesI’ve been select as a speaker at the 7th Annual South Carolina Health Equity Summit in Columbia on April 17th 2025, with the topic “Building Resilient Communities: Empowering Individuals and Organizations to Thrive While Prioritizing Well-Being”. The official announcement will follow in January but I am already super pumped!
Self-Reflection
Confidence grows when you trust your unique talents. This month, explore ways to lean into your CliftonStrengths and become more intentional in how you show up for yourself and your team.
- When was the last time you felt “in the zone”? Which strengths were at play?
- How did you feel afterwards?
- What circumstances got you there, and how can you create more opportunities like this?
Taking a few moments for self-reflection helps make us aware of our impact and provides an opportunity to appreciate our growth.
Give it a shot, try it out.
Even consider writing down your responses. Going back through those notes can really lift you up when you have a bad day or help when you are facing self-doubts.
I would love to hear your feedback on this news-note or if you have specific topics you would like to see in here.
…and if it’s been a while since we last connected, let’s grab a (virtual) coffee and catch up.
If this was forwarded to you and you liked it, don’t miss the next one—subscribe here!
And always remember, even the smallest steps get us closer to our goal – but you have to take the first step!
2025 is right around the corner, Stay Bright!
Jakob