🌟 Word of the Day 12 Safar 1447 AH – August 6, 2025 🌟

Coach Ward

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3–4 min read

Welcome to another entry in our Business English Word of the Day series. Today’s term is essential for leadership, project management, and time efficiency. Whether you’re managing a team, leading a department, or building your own business, knowing how and when to delegate is a game-changer.

📖 What Does “Delegate” Mean?

To delegate means to assign responsibility or authority to another person in order to complete a task or duty. There are two forms of the word:

• Verb: “To delegate a task to someone”

• Noun: “A delegate representing the company at the summit”

At its core, delegating involves trust. You entrust another person with a specific responsibility, often one that you could do yourself but choose to transfer for the sake of efficiency, productivity, or focus.

🧬 Word Origin: Where Does “Delegate” Come From?

The word delegate originates from Latin. It is formed from the verb delegare, which means “to send as a deputy” or “to commission.” This Latin word itself is composed of two parts:

• de- meaning “from” or “away”

• legare meaning “to send with a commission” or “to appoint”

The term entered Middle English through Old French, retaining both its noun and verb forms. Over time, the word evolved in business and politics to refer to someone authorized to act on behalf of another or the act of assigning that authority.

Understanding the roots of delegate helps reinforce its core meaning—sending responsibility or authority away from oneself to another for the sake of carrying out a task.

🧠 Delegate in a Business Context

In business, effective delegation is more than just handing off work. It reflects leadership maturity, time management, and the ability to build capacity within a team.

Leadership and Management

Strong leaders delegate not because they are avoiding work, but because they understand where their time is best spent. Delegating allows them to focus on strategy while empowering others with responsibility.

“As the company grew, the CEO began to delegate operational decisions to senior managers.”

Team Growth and Efficiency

Delegating tasks helps junior team members develop new skills. It also builds trust and prevents bottlenecks.

“The project manager delegated client communications to the account lead in order to meet the deadline.”

Professional Boundaries

Knowing what to delegate and what to handle personally is key. Some tasks require your signature, insight, or presence. Others do not.

“She struggled to delegate because she believed only she could do it correctly.”

🧩 Why Delegation Matters

Delegation is not just about lightening your load. It is about creating a workflow where energy, time, and talent are used wisely. Professionals who delegate well are seen as strategic thinkers. They lead without micromanaging. They build teams instead of running solo.

If you are building a business or leading a team, delegation is what makes scaling possible.

📌 Examples in Action

1. “He delegated the quarterly report to his assistant so he could focus on preparing the investor pitch.”

2. “Delegating customer support during the product launch helped the team stay focused on critical issues.”

3. “Effective leaders know how to delegate without losing control.”

🚀 Your Turn

Think of one responsibility you currently manage that someone else on your team could handle. Why haven’t you delegated it yet? Is it a matter of trust, training, or habit?

Take a moment to reflect on your own leadership and ask yourself: Am I doing what only I can do, or am I holding onto tasks that could help others grow?

Consider experimenting by delegating a small task today and observing the result.

🌟 Stay Connected

Words like delegate carry more than surface meaning. They shape how you lead, how others see you, and how efficiently your team performs.

Keep following our Business English Word of the Day series for more language that sharpens your leadership voice. And if you are ready for personalized coaching, group sessions, or corporate training, visit Coach Ward Business Solutions to learn more.

Let’s continue building clarity, confidence, and command; one word at a time!