The Delegation Catalyst: A 5-Month Coaching Program for Entrepreneurs

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

The Delegation Catalyst is a high-intensity, team-based coaching program designed exclusively for entrepreneurs and startup leaders. It directly combats the founder's dilemma of micromanagement and underdeveloped teams by applying proven, action-oriented methodologies like the GROW model and Action Centred Leadership. This program moves beyond theoretical training, embedding delegation practice into your live business priorities with real-time feedback from a dedicated coaching team.

Strategic Benefits for Entrepreneurs & Startups:

• Reclaim Strategic Time: Systematically delegate 40-60% more operational tasks, freeing up 10+ hours per week to focus on growth, vision, and high-impact work.
• Build Bench Strength & Reduce Key-Person Risk: Develop a more capable, autonomous team through structured on-the-job practice, identifying and preparing successors for critical roles.
• Enhance Team Morale and Accountability: Foster a culture of trust and ownership using democratic and situational coaching techniques, leading to improved team alignment and higher project completion rates.
• Scale Leadership Effectiveness: Transition from a "doer" to a true leader who can balance task achievement, team maintenance, and individual development, enabling sustainable scaling.
• Gain Data-Driven Insights: Establish a clear baseline and track progress with quantitative metrics (delegation volume, time saved) and qualitative feedback (360-reviews), ensuring tangible ROI on the program investment.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

Evaluation: This is a Coaching Program. While the core program is robust, integrating a supplemental Peer Mentorship layer among the coachees (the entrepreneurs) would significantly enhance outcomes.

Why it Adds Value: Entrepreneurs often learn best from peers who are in the trenches facing similar scaling and delegation challenges. A structured peer mentorship component creates a safe, confidential forum for:

• Normalizing Challenges: Sharing struggles with control and trust reduces isolation and reinforces that these are common growth hurdles.
• Accountability & Idea Exchange: Peers can provide additional accountability for action commitments made in coaching sessions and share practical, context-relevant solutions.
• Building a Support Network: Extends the program's value by fostering long-term professional relationships that persist beyond the 5-month timeline.

Implementation Note: Implement a "Founder Circle" model. After the Month 1 assessment phase, group 3-4 non-competing entrepreneurs into pods. Facilitate a monthly virtual roundtable using a structured format (e.g., each member shares one delegation win, one challenge, and seeks peer input). This requires minimal additional coordination but leverages the cohort's collective experience.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase (Pre-Month 1)

• $render`✓` Participant Onboarding: Secure commitment from 8-12 entrepreneur participants. Conduct intake interviews to align expectations.
• $render`✓` Coaching Team Assembly: Assign each participant a primary coach and identify 2-3 internal/external specialists (e.g., for finance, operations) to form the "coaching team" for spot support.[1]
• $render`✓` Tool Setup: Configure the selected Coaching Software and LMS (see Section 4) with participant logins, program timelines, and initial assessment materials.
• $render`✓` Baseline Data Collection: Distribute 360-feedback surveys and initial delegation audit self-assessments to all participants and their core team members.

Tracking & Operations (Months 1-5)

• Bi-Weekly Rhythm: Primary coaching sessions (45-60 mins) alternate between deep-dive skill work and progress check-ins.
• Monthly Milestone Reviews: Formal review at the end of each program milestone (see Key Milestones from research) using a shared scorecard in the coaching software.
• On-Demand Support: Coaching team specialists are available for "spot coaching" on specific delegation challenges as they arise in real work.[1]
• Peer Exchange: Facilitate the monthly "Founder Circle" peer mentorship sessions.
• Content Delivery: Release modular content (videos, guides) via the LMS aligned with each phase (Self-Awareness, Frameworks, etc.).

Success Measurement

• KPIs & Mechanisms:
  • Delegation Volume: Tracked via pre/post survey and weekly delegation logs submitted by participants. Target: 40-60% increase in tasks formally delegated.
  • Leader Time Reclaimed: Measured through time audit surveys at baseline and Month 5. Target: 10+ hours per week saved.
  • Project Completion Rate: Monitor via participant-provided Kanban/team project data. Target: Improvement in on-time completion.
  • 360-Feedback Shift: Administer the same 360-survey at Month 1 and Month 5. Target: Measurable improvement in scores related to "delegation confidence," "empowering others," and "executive presence."
  • Participant Commitment Adherence: Coach tracks completion rate of "Will" actions set in GROW model sessions.[2]
• Feedback Mechanisms:
  • Mid-program pulse survey (Month 3).
  • Final program debrief and one-year follow-up evaluation.[1]

4. Approved Tools List

• Coaching Software: Primary tool. Used for scheduling all sessions (1:1, team, peer), securely storing 360-feedback results and progress notes, tracking action commitments, and maintaining the shared program scorecard/KPI dashboard.
• Personality Test: Integrated into the Month 1 "Self-Assessment and Baseline" milestone. Tools like Myers-Briggs or similar provide a framework for participants to understand their natural leadership and communication styles, diagnosing potential delegation barriers.
• LMS (Learning Management System): Hosts the core program curriculum—recorded video modules on frameworks (GROW, ACL), guidebooks for role-plays, and reading materials. Allows for structured, asynchronous learning that complements live coaching.

Justification: Coaching Software is non-negotiable for operationalizing the team-based coaching model and tracking granular behavioral KPIs. The Personality Test provides the foundational self-awareness data point. The LMS ensures consistent delivery of the "10%" formal learning component of the 70-20-10 model, making resources accessible on-demand for busy entrepreneurs. Internal Social Networks, Onboarding Platforms, and ERG Software are less relevant to this focused, external-facing coaching intervention.

5. Resource & Content Library

Training Content for Coaches

• Guide: "Facilitating the GROW Model for Delegation Conversations" – Scripts and prompts for Goal, Reality, Options, Will phases.
• Video Series: "Spot Coaching in Action: Intervening on Live Delegation Challenges" – Demonstrations of micro-feedback techniques.
• Guide: "Interpreting 360-Feedback for Entrepreneurial Leaders" – Focusing on control, trust, and empowerment themes.
• Framework Overview: "Applying Adair's Action Centred Leadership to Startup Scaling" – Balancing task, team, individual.
• Protocol: "Conducting a Effective Delegation Audit" – A step-by-step process for baseline and progress measurement.

Training Content for Coachees (Entrepreneurs)

• Self-Assessment Kit: Delegation barrier self-audit worksheet + guide to interpreting your personality assessment.
• Video Module Series: "From Founder to Leader: The Delegation Mindset Shift."
• Workbook: "The Delegation Playbook" – Templates for SMART delegation briefs, role-play scenarios for practice, and a delegation tracking log.
• Guide: "Running a Democratic Goal-Setting Session with Your Team" – Techniques for co-creation and buy-in.[4]
• Action Planning Template: "My 90-Day Sustainment Plan" – For use in Month 5 to embed habits beyond the program.
• Resource List: Curated articles on "Building Trust in High-Growth Environments" and "Giving Effective Feedback to High-Performers."