10+ Inspiring Quotes on Delegating to Help You Lead Smarter

Delegating can help you do less and achieve more. You can focus on big-picture thinking and empower team members or colleagues, giving them purpose and building trust. These quotes on delegating can help women delegate better.

Delegating less could also hurt your career. Effective delegation is a leadership skill you need and can nurture, whether you are a female entrepreneur changing the world, a leader making an impact, or an ambitious woman. Changing your perspective on delegation and learning from famous leaders can help.

Here are delegation quotes to help you delegate better and lead smarter.

Inspiring Quotes on Delegation

The Best Quotes on Delegating

Delegation Quotes By Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs

“Delegation is not about getting rid of tasks; it’s about empowering others to help you achieve your goals.”

Laura Stack, author and speaker

This quote reframes delegation as a growth strategy, not a shortcut. It’s not about offloading work—it’s about sharing ownership and trusting your team to take the lead

“As all entrepreneurs know, you live and die by your ability to prioritize. You must focus on the most important, mission-critical tasks each day and night, and then share, delegate, delay, or skip the rest.”

Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva

Jackley’s wisdom hits home for every founder or manager. Delegation helps you protect your focus. By trusting others with tasks, you protect your energy for what matters most.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta

Sandberg reminds us that great leadership isn’t about being in control of everything—it’s about creating systems, empowering people, and building a team that thrives even when you’re not in the room.

“There is no finish line to leadership.”

Julia Hartz, CEO of Eventbrite

Delegation is part of an ongoing leadership journey. Hartz reminds us that leading effectively means constantly learning, adapting, and letting others shine alongside you.

The Most Famous Delegation Quotes to Inspire You

“Delegation is an essential skill for any effective leader.”

Daniel Goleman

Emotional intelligence guru Daniel Goleman gets straight to the point: if you want to lead well, you must learn to delegate. It’s not optional—it’s foundational.

“The best leaders are the ones who know how to delegate.”

Bill Gates

Gates highlights the difference between doing it all and doing what matters. The best leaders build strong teams and let go of control so innovation can scale.

“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”

Brené Brown, social worker, author, and podcast host of one of the best women in business podcasts.

Delegation isn’t just about task management—it’s about investing in people. Brené Brown reminds us that leadership means lifting others up and believing in their growth.

“Delegation is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.”

Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple

This quote flips the common myth on its head. Delegation isn’t about stepping back—it’s about stepping up and showing the confidence to trust others with responsibility.

“To sum up, it is useful to surround oneself with the best people one can find, delegate responsibilities, and then stay out of the way.”

Ronald Reagan

True leadership is about building trust. Reagan’s quote speaks to the art of hiring smart, handing over the reins, and giving your team the space to succeed.

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”

Oprah Winfrey

While not directly about delegation, Oprah’s message hits the heart of it: great teams elevate each other. When you delegate with intention, you create space for collective success.

The Crux of Delegation

Despite leading teams, building companies, and juggling personal responsibilities, many women still struggle to delegate. It’s not because they aren’t capable—it’s often because they care too much.

Whether it’s the pressure to prove themselves, fear of being seen as “bossy,” or simply being used to handling everything, female entrepreneurs often carry more than they need to.

Studies show women are more likely to take on both invisible labor and detailed task management—even at the executive level.

Why Women Don’t Delegate

One of the top challenges for female entrepreneurs is that they take on more work and delegate less. How and if you delegate often depends on your personality, but there is also a societal aspect. Women often see delegating as more assertive and aggressive. If you struggle with delegation and take on too much work, try to change your perspective. Understand why you don’t delegate and work to change.

Perfectionism: “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.”

Guilt: Worrying that delegating makes you look lazy or selfish.

Trust issues: Fear that others won’t meet expectations.

Lack of systems: Without clear processes, delegation feels more stressful than helpful.

Why More Women Should Delegate

Smart delegation is one of the most powerful tools for female leaders. When you delegate well, you don’t just create more time—you create more impact. Quotes on delegating illustrate that.

Here’s what delegation can unlock:

More focus on strategic goals
Let go of the to-do list and lean into big-picture thinking.

Empowered team members (and other women)
Your team can’t grow if they never get a chance to lead.

Greater resilience
Delegation helps prevent burnout, reduce decision fatigue, and boost mental clarity.

Scalability
Businesses don’t grow on hustle alone. They grow when leaders empower others to rise.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence—and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

— Sheryl Sandberg

Lead Confidently

Delegating doesn’t mean giving up control—it means creating more space for leadership. These quotes on delegating will inspire you to delegate more.

Here’s how to lead confidently through delegation:

Start small: Delegate one task you don’t love or that drains your energy.
Be clear: Communicate the what, the why, and the result you want.
Trust your team: Growth happens when others are allowed to rise.
Celebrate progress: Delegation is a skill. The more you practice, the better you lead and the more you trust others.

FAQs: Quotes on Delegating

What is a good quote about delegating?

A standout delegation quote is by Steve Jobs: “Delegation is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.” It reminds us that trusting others is a confident and strategic move.

Why is delegation important in leadership?

Delegation allows leaders to focus on high-impact activities, prevents burnout, and develops the skills of those around them. It builds strong, resilient teams.

Are there any quotes from women about delegating?

Yes! Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, said one of the best quotes on delegating:

“You must focus on the most important, mission-critical tasks… and then share, delegate, delay, or skip the rest.”

How can I get better at delegating?

Start with tasks that are time-consuming but don’t need your unique expertise. Communicate clearly, trust your team, and focus on coaching—not micromanaging.