16 Tips for Delegating Tasks and Empowering Your Team
Delegating tasks effectively can transform a team's productivity and morale, yet many leaders struggle to let go of control. This article presents 16 practical tips gathered from industry experts who have successfully empowered their teams through strategic delegation. These proven strategies will help managers distribute work efficiently while building trust and developing their team members' skills.
Share Candid Lessons Build Credibility
One of the most effective networking strategies I've used is simply sharing what we're learning in real time, the tests that worked, the ones that failed, and the data behind both. It sounds small, but being transparent about our process at Eprezto has opened more doors than any formal "networking tactic."
People in the industry appreciate honesty, especially in Latin America where there's a lot of noise and not much actionable insight. When you share something real, like how splitting a long form doubled conversions, or how 70% of our chat queries are now solved by AI, founders and operators naturally reach out because they want to compare notes.
That's how a lot of our relationships started. Not by asking for something, but by showing something useful.
For us, networking has paid off in very tangible ways: partnerships, better deals with carriers, introductions to engineers, and even media opportunities. But more importantly, it's helped us avoid mistakes by learning from people who already hit the walls we were about to run into.
My advice is to not "network", but contribute. Share your lessons, your data, your scars. People trust operators who aren't trying to look perfect. That trust turns into relationships, and those relationships can quietly accelerate the growth of your startup in ways you can't plan for on a spreadsheet.
Lead With Personality Spark Opportunities
One of the most effective strategies I've used to build relationships in the industry is writing entertaining, thought-provoking pieces on LinkedIn (emphasis on the entertaining). A good example is Dark Side Dollars, a post I wrote exploring the use of Darth Vader in advertising. However, that piece was promoted by a tongue-in-cheek, Vader showreel. It wasn't dry, overly professional content, it was playful, sharp, and had a clear point of view. And that's what made it work. FYI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PsIZQ145og
By leaning into personality, not just expertise, I've found that people are more inclined to connect, follow, and start conversations. It opens the door to unexpected opportunities, from new clients to podcast invites and speaker requests. For us, that visibility and network effect have been a quiet but powerful driver of our growth.
Offer Insights Become Trusted Source
One effective networking strategy I use is positioning Tecknotrove as a knowledge contributor rather than a brand seeking coverage. Instead of reaching out only when we need press, I focus on building ongoing relationships with defence correspondents, industry editors, training institutes, and event curators through regular insight sharing.
For example, ahead of major defence and aviation expos, I proactively share brief, non-promotional insights on training gaps, safety challenges, or policy shifts related to simulation. This helps journalists and organizers see us as a reliable source, not just a vendor. Over time, these conversations turn into panel invitations, expert quotes, and earned media opportunities.
Networking has also extended beyond media. By staying engaged with industry bodies and training academies, we gain early visibility into upcoming requirements and emerging skill gaps. This allows internal teams to align messaging and solutions well before tenders or announcements go public.
As a result, Tecknotrove's presence has grown organically across trade publications, conferences, and closed-door industry discussions. These relationships have strengthened brand trust, shortened PR response cycles, and supported the company's expansion into new verticals without relying heavily on paid promotion.
Cultivate Few Strong Direct Relationships
One strategy that's worked really well for me is keeping networking small and genuine. I used to think networking meant attending big events and meeting as many people as possible. Over time, I realized the real value comes from building a few strong relationships, not collecting business cards.
I started focusing on one-on-one conversations. Coffee chats, short calls, or casual meetups with people in the industry who were working on similar problems. No pitch. No agenda. Just real conversations about what we were building, what wasn't working, and what we were learning along the way. Those discussions were far more valuable than any formal event.
What surprised me was how naturally those relationships turned into opportunities. Someone would introduce us to a potential partner. Another would share feedback that helped us refine our product. Sometimes it was as simple as advice that saved us from making a costly mistake. None of that came from forced networking. It came from trust.
Networking also helped us grow faster because we weren't building in isolation. Hearing how others solved similar challenges gave us shortcuts. It shaped better decisions around product direction, hiring, and even messaging.
The biggest lesson for me is that networking isn't about asking for favors. It's about showing up consistently, being curious, and offering value when you can. When you treat it like a long-term relationship instead of a transaction, the impact compounds.
Blend Roles And Secure Community Referrals
I've found that consistently participating in local real estate investment clubs while wearing two hats--both as a football coach and a home buyer--has created unique networking opportunities that directly benefit our business. The coaching connection gives me an authentic way to build trust with families in the community, which often leads to referrals when someone needs to sell quickly. This dual identity has helped us access off-market properties through relationship channels that most investors miss, particularly when working with homeowners who appreciate knowing their property is going to someone invested in the community's future.
Give Value First Host Public Meetups
I've found that creating genuine value before asking for anything in return has been my most effective networking strategy. In Las Vegas's competitive real estate market, I regularly host informal meetups where I share actual deal numbers and lessons from my 700+ transactions with newer investors--this positions me as both a resource and builds trust naturally. These relationships have directly led to off-market deal referrals and joint venture opportunities that wouldn't appear on the MLS, which has been crucial for sourcing the unique properties that have allowed me to scale from engineer to full-time investor.
Team Up Across Niche Channels Attract Prospects
I've found that partnering with other real estate professionals who work with mobile home owners--like mobile home park managers and manufactured home dealers--has been incredibly valuable for building relationships and deal flow. Early on, I started attending manufactured housing association meetings and connecting with park managers who often knew residents looking to sell, which gave me direct access to motivated sellers before properties hit the market. These relationships have been essential for We Buy SC Mobile Homes because they understand the unique challenges of mobile home transactions and trust that I'll treat their residents fairly, which has resulted in consistent referrals that now make up about 35% of our deals.
Keep Promises Win Neighborhood Advocates
I've built my strongest relationships by being the investor who actually follows through on my promises, especially with distressed homeowners who've been burned by other 'we buy houses' companies. When I tell a seller I'll close in 10 days with cash, I make sure my financing is already lined up and my team is ready to move--this reliability has created a network of attorneys, social workers, and even competing investors who refer clients to me because they know I won't waste anyone's time. That reputation for dependability has been the foundation of Chris Buys Homes' growth in St. Louis, where word travels fast in tight-knit neighborhoods.
Use Local Media Humanize Connections
I've found that local television appearances with my twin boys have been an unexpected but incredibly effective networking tool. While initially it was about raising awareness for Sierra Homebuyers, these appearances created an authentic, relatable connection with the Reno community that simply can't be manufactured. When people recognize me from TV and approach me at community events, they already feel like they know and trust me, which has opened doors to partnerships with local attorneys, financial advisors, and property managers who now refer distressed homeowners to us. This human-first approach has become our competitive advantage, allowing us to access off-market opportunities through relationships rather than just transactions.
Collaborate Deeply On Tough Projects
I try to build long-term relationships by technical collaboration. People usually go for transaction-based networking to keep it simple. I work closely with my clients, partners, and colleagues on difficult projects. In these projects, you can earn the trust of the team by delivering some form of output only. We also meet regularly at industry forums, technical workshops, and post-project review meetings. These meet-ups turn our professional contacts into lasting partnerships. I have been using this approach for quite some time and it has contributed a lot to my business. It has helped me get repeat business, referrals for big projects, and opportunities to work with teams on the development of new projects that aligned with client needs.
Convene Roundtables Forge Ethical Deals
One effective strategy has been leveraging my role on the Coastal Carolina Real Estate Investor's Association board to host quarterly 'community impact' roundtables. By bringing together local investors, attorneys, and financial advisors to discuss ethical solutions for distressed homeowners, I've built trusted relationships that often lead to collaborative off-market deals. This networking approach directly fuels our growth--about 40% of our transactions come from these connections, allowing us to help more families in transition while expanding our portfolio.
Attend Industry Events Open Doors
One of the most effective ways with which I've built connections in my industry is by actively taking part in industry events and conferences. These meetings have empowered me to connect with like-minded experts, interchange ideas, and develop meaningful relationships over time. Networking has played an important part in our startup's growth by creating access to new opportunities, teamwork, and collaborations that we might not have reached otherwise. Taking an example, figures shows that networking has filled 85% jobs, thus highlighting the role of strong connections in business growth. It also helped us stay informed about various industry trends and best practices. Overall, building strong professional connections has been key to expanding our client base and putting the business in place for long-term success in a competitive market.
Champion Peers Gain Durable Goodwill
My most effective networking strategy is simple: I focus on giving referrals and advice first, without ever expecting anything in return. In the HVAC world here in San Antonio, there are plenty of competitors, but also a lot of specialized tradespeople—plumbers, electricians, and roofers. I make a point to build genuine relationships with those professionals by consistently recommending them to my customers whenever their service is needed outside of Honeycomb Air's scope.
This approach builds trust not only with my network but also with my customers, who appreciate the honest, non-territorial recommendation. It sounds counterintuitive, but helping a peer succeed always comes back to you. When I needed advice on scaling our fleet operations or navigating a complex local permit, those same trusted contractors were the first ones to take my call and share honest, proprietary knowledge that saved Honeycomb Air months of trial and error.
Networking contributed to our success because it shifted our reputation from being just a competitor to being a trusted partner in the local building and maintenance community. The referrals we get from builders and property managers who trust our work are high-quality and consistent. It proves that the most valuable thing you can build in any industry isn't a massive Rolodex, but a small circle of people who know you are reliable, generous, and willing to share the win.
Treat Venues As Long Term Allies
One of the most effective networking strategies we've used at True Dating is treating venues as long-term partners rather than one off suppliers. Early on, I spent time meeting venue managers in person, attending industry events and having informal conversations about what they needed from events hosted in their space.
That approach led to partnerships with some of the best venues in London, because we positioned our events as mutually beneficial. We focussed on driving footfall, repeat customers and brand alignment for them. Networking in this way directly shaped our growth, as securing great venues improved the quality of our events and strengthened our brand, which made it easier to attract attendees who trust the experience from the moment they see the location.
Founder, True Dating.
Pursue Mentors Who Unlock Strategic Alliances
Networking, in its essence, is about forging meaningful connections with people who share your vision or can provide transformative insights along your journey. It wasn't always an intuitive process for me. During the initial phases of ToguMogu, my co-founder and I were primarily focused on building the platform, figuring out product-market fit, and, frankly, surviving the tide of a new startup. But, a turning point came when I attended a digital health innovation workshop organized by a local tech hub.
There, I met Dipesh Nag from Grameen Danone Foods. He wasn't just another attendee but someone profoundly experienced in scaling public health initiatives. What surprised me was his openness to engage. We started discussing beyond the immediate agenda - we talked about the societal impacts of digital solutions and how addressing parental challenges could ripple into broader community health improvements.
Through this connection, Dipesh became an invaluable mentor and sounding board. His guidance on navigating governmental partnerships helped us considerably when collaborating with UNFPA on projects addressing family health. This collaboration built ToguMogu's credibility and provided the infrastructure support we desperately needed to grow beyond our initial vision.
Networking also opened doors to participate in global forums, like the UNFPA Joint Innovation Challenge, which we won. These platforms weren't just validating; they were instrumental in expanding our outlook and understanding the depth of impact that collaboration across borders could achieve.
Moreover, these relationships weren't just limited to strategic advice. They often turned into friendships where exchanging a casual WhatsApp message could provide a breakthrough idea or even a much-needed laughter to ease the entrepreneurial stress. Indeed, these repport-building moments were the unscripted aspects of networking that made them invaluable.
In essence, networking is about curating genuine relationships, where you contribute as much as you gain. This ethos doesn't just propel individual startups; it creates an ecosystem where collective progress is possible. Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating, but networks make it a shared journey, transforming singular visions into movements that matter.
Join Authentic Conversations Where Audiences Gather
Our most effective networking did not start at events or on LinkedIn. It started in comment sections.
Instead of chasing introductions, we focused on showing up where our audience already spent time. That meant replying thoughtfully under posts from people they already trusted. We participated before we ever promoted. That shift put us into conversations that actually mattered.
Over time, the same people who first noticed us in threads started reaching out. They sent DMs. They made introductions. They suggested collaborations. These were not random connections. They were people who had watched us think out loud and show our work.
Networking helped our growth in a quiet but very measurable way. It shortened the trust gap. Clients who came through personal recommendations converted faster and stayed longer. For a services business, that makes a real difference.
We stopped trying to build a network and focused on building context. The relationships came naturally after that.
