WHY DO HVE FORMAL DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES?

Though difficult at times, never underestimate the importance of defining roles and responsibilities in
business. Many employees wear several different hats, completing jobs outside the initial range of their
job description. Unfortunately, this can lead to a great deal of confusion within the company, especially
when leadership responsibilities are not properly assigned. When employees ask, “How are leadership
responsibilities and performance measured?” you’re going to want to be prepared with your answer.
Clearly defining roles and expectations can have a positive impact on the company as a whole,
particularly as it relates to team projects.
Everyone knows what to do. When you set clear roles and responsibilities, especially formal ones,
everyone knows what’s expected of them within the group. They know how to behave, what they need to
accomplish, and how to reach the group’s goals.
Everything gets done. When you’re short on time, it’s easy for small pieces of the project to be overlooked.
This is especially true if no one is completely clear on who is responsible for accomplishing those tasks.
Less-desirable tasks are often left alone because no one wants to claim them. When people understand
their job responsibilities, on the other hand, nothing gets forgotten in the process.
People work together better when they understand their roles. There’s less jockeying for position, fewer
arguments, and higher overall creativity when everyone understands their responsibility as part of the
group.
Less energy is wasted. Any time there’s a lack of clarity, people waste energy dealing with things that don’t
matter. They argue over things that aren’t important, fail to focus on things that are, and miss out on
opportunities. Define roles and responsibilities, and a great deal of that energy becomes accessible for
other purposes.
Defining roles and responsibilities within your business, whether it’s an office-wide initiative or dedicated
to a single group, permits you to more effectively manage your entire business. Everyone should
understand their role within the business and what they are expected to accomplish, from opening the
office in the morning to the tasks that keep them busy throughout the day.