Delegate to Reclaim Time — The 70% Rule for Handing Work Off
Doing everything yourself is the fastest way to stay stuck. Learn what to delegate, how to brief it, and the 70% rule that stops you from taking every task back.
The idea
Most people stay buried because they treat every task as theirs to do. Delegation is the fix, and it has one rule that trips everyone up: the 70% rule. If someone else can do a task at least 70% as well as you, hand it to them. The last 30% is rarely worth your time, and they'll close the gap with practice. The skill isn't "giving orders" — it's writing a clear brief (what, why, done-looks-like, by when) and then not snatching the task back. Delegating well is how you free the hours for the work only you can do.
Who is this for?
Ananya Menon
Team Lead · Coimbatore
Ananya did the weekly report herself every Friday because "nobody else does it right."
She wrote a one-page brief — the data source, what each section means, done-looks-like — and handed it to a junior. The first one came back 80% there; she gave two notes.
By week three it was better than hers. She got her Friday afternoons back and used them on the strategy work that got her promoted.
"It wasn't faster if I did it. It just felt safer — and that feeling cost me my Fridays."
What you'll get
One task handed off cleanly
A real recurring task briefed and given to someone else — off your plate today.
A reusable delegation brief
The what / why / done-looks-like / by-when format that makes work come back right.
The 70% rule installed
A clear bar for what to let go — and permission to stop chasing the last 30%.
Hours back for real work
The time you were spending on delegatable tasks, returned to what only you can do.
Watch
Kara Ronin · leadership coach · ~8 min
Do the challenge
1Pick one recurring, delegatable task
Look for something you do repeatedly that doesn't strictly need you — a report, a first draft, scheduling, data cleanup. Recurring is best: the brief pays off every time.
💡 The test: would this task be a good learning rep for someone more junior? If yes, it's a delegation candidate, not a "only I can do it" task.
2Write the 4-part brief
What (the task), Why (why it matters + context), Done-looks-like (a concrete example of good), By-when (the deadline). Ten minutes of briefing saves hours of back-and-forth.
💡 Help me write a short delegation brief for this task: [task]. Include: WHAT to do, WHY it matters (context they need), DONE-LOOKS-LIKE (a concrete example of a good result), and BY-WHEN. Keep it to under 150 words, clear enough that someone could do it without asking me follow-ups.
3Hand it off — and apply the 70% rule
Give the brief, answer questions once, then let go. When it comes back, ask: is this at least 70% as good as mine? If yes, accept it and give at most two improvement notes.
4Resist taking it back
The first attempt won't be perfect. That's the cost of buying the task back permanently. Coach with a note or two; do not re-do it yourself. By the third rep it'll match or beat you.
Your template
THE DELEGATION BRIEF (the 70% hand-off) TASK: _________________________________________ (one recurring thing someone else could do at 70%+) WHAT (exactly what to do): ______________________________________________ WHY (context + why it matters): ______________________________________________ DONE-LOOKS-LIKE (a concrete example of good): ______________________________________________ BY-WHEN: ______________________________________ MY RULES FOR MYSELF: □ Answer questions once, then let go □ Accept it if it's 70%+ as good as mine □ Give at most TWO notes — do NOT re-do it □ Expect rep #3 to match or beat me
Knowledge Check
5 quick questions to make sure the main ideas landed.
Know someone who needs this?
Share the challenge — streaks are more fun together.
Tomorrow
Disagree in Writing — Make the Case Without Making an Enemy
A written disagreement can win the point or start a war. The claim → evidence → alternative structure lets you push back on the record — clearly, respectfully, and without damaging the relationship.
