Specify the desired outcome with precision while leaving…
Specify the desired outcome with precision while leaving the method to the delegate's discretion to preserve autonomy and enable adaptive problem-solving.
Why This Is a Principle
This is a principle derived from Autonomy is the felt sense of being the author of your own… (autonomy as authorship over actions), Satisfying the psychological needs of autonomy, competence… (autonomy/competence/relatedness as drivers of intrinsic motivation), and Agents are systems defined by perceiving their environment… (agents perceive and act to achieve goals). It prescribes HOW to delegate given these axioms: specify goals (what agents pursue) while preserving autonomy (what drives motivation). It's actionable, general across contexts, and derived rather than foundational.
Source Lessons
Delegate outcomes not methods
Specify the result you want, not the exact steps to get there. This preserves autonomy and invites better solutions.
Clear delegation requires clear specification
Vague delegation produces vague results. Specify the outcome, constraints, and success criteria before handing anything off.