The Hidden Reason Your Delegation Isn’t Working

In a previous blog, I showed you the one-page contract that fixes delegation:

Purpose. Scope. Authority. Guardrails. Cadence.

Simple. Clear. One page that says: “This is yours. Here’s how far you can run.”

But here’s the problem… Most owners never let the contract work. They sabotage it.

Sabotage #1: The Helicopter

An owner hands off the project. Signs the contract. Nods in agreement.

Then shows up in the manager’s inbox three times a day. Questions every choice.

“Why did you pick that vendor?” “Why did you phrase the email like this?” “Why not try it my way?”

The message is clear: “I’m still the one deciding.” The contract dies on the spot.

Sabotage #2: The Vanisher

Another owner delegates billing cleanup. The contract is written: clear purpose, scope, cadence.

But here’s what happens… The cadence follow-ups never happen. The weekly reviews get skipped.

There’s no accountability, no feedback, no conversation.

The owner thinks, “Great, it’s off my plate. I don’t have to worry about it.”

But the manager feels abandoned. No guardrails. No check-ins. No sense of progress.

And the project drifts until it stalls out.

Here’s the hidden gem:

Decision rights only work if the owner respects the boundaries and the cadence. Skip either, and the contract is worthless.

The reflection is simple:

Think about one project you’ve delegated in the last month.

Have you honored the cadence you set? Or did you disappear the moment it left your plate?

Next week, I’ll show you how to build muscle in your team so they don’t just hold decision rights… they grow into decision-makers you actually trust.