Delegation Done Right: The Tasks Advisors Should (and Shouldn’t) Offload

If you’re like most financial advisors, your to-do list is a mile long — and only growing. Between managing client relationships, putting out internal fires, handling compliance, and pursuing new business, it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling it all… because you are.

But here’s the truth: you shouldn’t be doing it all.

Delegation isn’t about shirking responsibility — it’s about maximizing your value. The most successful advisors know that their time is best spent building relationships, winning new clients, and delivering exceptional service to their top clients. Everything else? That can (and should) be delegated.

Letting go can feel risky, especially for high-achievers. You might worry the task won’t be done “right” or that it will take longer to explain than to just do it yourself. But the cost of holding on too tightly is real.

According to Gallup, leaders who delegate effectively generate 33% more revenue than those who don’t. And a SCORE study found that 53% of small business owners say they do tasks others could handle — simply out of habit or hesitation.

When you do everything, you’re not empowering your team — you’re stalling your growth.

Your highest-value tasks involve human connection, strategic thinking, and business development. Everything else is a candidate for delegation.

Here’s a starting list of what to hand off:

• Scheduling & calendar management
• Follow-up emails and client check-ins
• Data entry & CRM updates
• Paperwork & compliance prep
• Client onboarding & paperwork
• Social media posting & basic marketing
• Client gifts, birthdays & touchpoints
• Prospect research

These tasks are important, but they don’t require your expertise. Delegating them gives your team more ownership and frees you to operate in your zone of genius.

Delegation doesn’t mean disappearing. There are a few things that should stay firmly in your court:

• Deepening client relationships
• Client reviews and goal setting
• Prospecting and networking
• Strategic decision-making
• Vision casting and growth planning

These are the activities that truly move your business forward — and only you can do them.

Effective delegation doesn’t mean tossing tasks over the fence. It means empowering your team with clarity, trust, and support. 

A few best practices:

• Set clear expectations — What does success look like?
• Share context — Why does this matter to the business?
• Allow for autonomy — Don’t micromanage (resist the urge!)
• Review and refine — Create feedback loops for improvement

Delegation isn’t a one-time move — it’s an ongoing leadership skill.

At Supernova, we believe that time is your most precious asset — and that delegation is a key component of building a practice that serves both your clients and your life. Through proper segmentation and systems, our advisors learn how to design a business that runs efficiently, sustainably, and with a clear focus on what matters most.

Because when you stop doing everything, you can finally focus on doing what only you can do.

Let’s talk about how smart delegation can help you scale your practice, serve your top clients better, and reclaim your time.