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.