"Muriel is a line worker, who reports to her supervisor, Vince, who reports to me. Muriel has been here for six months. I am certainly not her supervisor, but I am the Manager Once Removed for her team. Her team is a very important element of my system," Sylvia explained.

"What's the problem?" I asked.

"I was talking to Muriel, just asking how things are going, about how she has adjusted to working here. That's when the fireworks started."

Sylvia had my curiosity. "Tell me more," I prompted.

"Her supervisor, Vince, remember that Vince reports to me. Vince walked by, interrupted us, began grilling me on our conversation. I tried to tactfully excuse Sylvia from the discussion, but she had a scared look on her face."

"What did Vince say?"

"I pulled him into my office so we could talk in private. He said that I was undermining his authority, that if I had anything to say to one of his team members, I needed to go through him and he would deliver the message. Otherwise, he said, Hands Off."

Stella's disbelief faded to reality. "You're right. That's what I did during my interview, here. I tried to steer the conversation to my best qualities. I mean, I answered their questions, truthfully, but, you know, they didn't really ask that many. They spent most of the time describing the job, what they expected and how great the company was."

"You probably got more out of the interview than they did," I replied. "So, what can we do different?"

"Isn't it a little late, we already hired the wrong person."

"I just hope this delegation with Joe goes okay. We have a lot on our plate this week and a couple of serious issues," Ruben hedged.

"Ruben, there are a hundred reasons why this delegation could fail. If it succeeds, it will not be because everything was right with the world. It will succeed in spite of everything going against it." -TF

"Now that you understand the necessity of delegation, what is the specific outcome that is necessary this week?" I asked.

"I guess I need to delegate something," Ruben replied.

"Ruben, this is not a guessing game. If you guess, you will be wrong. What specific outcome is necessary this week?"

Ruben paused. "I have a project I want to," Ruben stopped. "I have a project that is necessary for Joe to complete by next Wednesday."

"Good. Now, if Joe is to complete this project by next Wednesday, what is necessary for you to do today?" -TF

"No, it is necessary, because if you don't delegate, you can't play the role. And if you can't play the role, then we have to find someone who can. That's why it is necessary for you to become a better delegator."

Ruben laughed to break the tension. "When you put it like that, I guess I have to become a better delegator."

"No, when I put it like that, it means I have to make a choice between you and someone else. The necessity of you becoming a better delegator only happens when you put it like that."

Ruben was searching for words.

"Ruben, repeat after me. It is important for the words to come from you. 'It is necessary for me to become a better delegator to be an effective manager. If I do not become an effective delegator, it is necessary that I step aside for someone else.'"

Ruben gulped, then slowly repeated the words. –TF