Working Effectively with your Unicorn as a Strategic Delegator

You’re not here to hand-hold. You hire smart people so you can stay in your lane—and keep momentum moving. You move fast. You speak in outcomes. You expect others to just get it.

But let’s be honest: sometimes “just run with it” turns into “ugh, why didn’t this turn out right?” Sound familiar?

If so, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just ready to delegate smarter, not slower. This blog is your shortcut to better results, fewer course corrections, and way less time spent fixing what should’ve already been done.

No micromanaging. No drawn-out SOPs. Just a few smart shifts that help your Unicorn execute exactly the way you hoped they would.

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Inside the Mind of a Strategic Delegator

Here’s what you’re probably great at—and where things might occasionally stall:

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You’re amazing at...                                   But sometimes run into...

Delegating with speed and trust          Misalignment or confusion mid-task

Hiring for initiative                                    Needing to step back in and course correct

Letting people run with it                       Silence that leads to drift or delay

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Here’s the good news: you don’t need more meetings. You just need simple structures to keep clarity high and surprises low. 🔥

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What Your Unicorn Needs to Thrive

Your Unicorn doesn’t need hand-holding. They need direction, context, and the freedom to run with confidence—not confusion.

Here’s what helps them deliver like a pro:

✅ Clear expectations from the start

✅ Light, regular updates (not constant pings)

✅ Open-ended check-in questions to avoid assumptions

✅ A few examples or references to reduce guesswork

✅ A structure that supports, not slows

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The 5 Pillars of Strategic Delegation

If you want better results, faster turnaround, and fewer “wait… what happened here?” moments—this is your framework.

Pillar: Context                                                

What to Do: Share the what and why                               

Why It Works: Helps your Unicorn make smart decisions without guessing‍
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Pillar: Communication Preferences

What to Do: Set check-in style and timing                     

Why It Works: Keeps you updated without slowing you down

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Pillar: Boundaries                                          

What to Do: Define time, scope, and priority                    

Why It Works: Prevents gold-plating and wasted effort

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Pillar: Access & Authority                            

What to Do: Provide the tools and decision rights          

Why It Works: If they’re blocked, they can’t move

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Pillar: Feedback                                            

What to Do: Offer light, clear feedback as they go        

Why It Works: Helps refine their work and reduce repeat mistakes

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💡 These five steps take 5 minutes. They’ll save you hours of rework later.

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Quick Delegation Template (Use in Slack, Loom, Email)

Whenever you hand something off, try this format:

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🧠 Context: What’s the goal? Why does this matter?

📆 Deadline: What do you need by when?

✅ Success: What would “great” look like?

🧰 Resources: Any links, tools, or past examples?

📣 Communication: When should they check in—and how?

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Say This, Not That

Instead of...                                                  

“Can you just handle this?”                   

Try Saying...Here’s the outcome I want—let me know how you’d approach it.”

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“Make it better.”                                     

Try Saying...Make it feel cleaner and more skimmable—like the April newsletter.

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[No check-in]                                        

Try Saying...Send me a first draft Wednesday—I’ll confirm we’re aligned.

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Common Pitfalls (And Fast Fixes)

The pitfall, what happens next and the fast fix:

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The Pitfall: Vague direction         

What Happens: Unicorn spins wheels or overbuilds          

Quick Fix: Add 1–2 examples or record a quick Loom

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The Pitfall: No check-in               

What Happens: Task veers off course                                 

Quick Fix: Schedule a midpoint review or async check-in

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The Pitfall: No feedback              

What Happens: Mistakes repeat                                           

Quick Fix: Give 10 seconds of input or praise via Slack or comment

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What Your Unicorn Wishes You’d Say

These are the quiet truths that unlock incredible support:

🦄 “A Loom or screenshot saves me hours of guesswork.”

🦄 “Tell me what feels off—I’ll figure out how to fix it.”

🦄 “Just one good example helps me hit the mark.”

🦄 “Once we get this right, I’ll make it repeatable for you.”

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Try This Right Now: Task Walkthrough

Got a task you just delegated—or are about to? Run it through this checklist:

• Did I explain the why behind it?
  
  
• Do they know what “done well” looks like?
  
  
• Have I set a check-in point or feedback loop?
  
  
• Do they have the tools, access, and autonomy to execute?
  
  
• Have I booked time to review, refine, or approve?
  
  

📌 Bonus: Ask your Unicorn to turn the final version into an SOP so next time runs even faster.

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Tools That Fit Your Style

Tool & Why It Works...

Slack + voice notes

Quick async direction and updates

Loom

Share feedback and vision in under 2 minutes

ClickUp/Asana

Visible milestones without constant check-ins

Google Docs + comments

Easy, fast reviews without meetings

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Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Change—Just Tighten

You already delegate with trust. You already lead with vision.

All you need is just enough structure to make sure your Unicorn is running in the same direction you are—without you needing to circle back.

Because when your delegation style is matched with the right system? Your Unicorn can move just as fast as you do.

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✨ Delegate like the visionary you are.
 

Because when you get delegation right, everything moves faster.

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