Do you ever find yourself bogged down by your list of things to do, and all of a sudden you're wondering how you're supposed to get all of it done and in the time frame that you promised? This happens to everyone, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you stay on track and make your team successful.

1. Ask the right questions.

When tasked with an assignment, there are several questions you should ask to ensure that your team does efficient and productive work.

You know the old saying, "The only thing in life that is certain is death and taxes." Well there is something else that is certain in life, change. It is inevitable, at some point we all face a change of some kind. This is a good thing. Change means we are learning, growing, and moving forward. Imagine if you never learned anything new or tried different things. You would still be at home, living with your parents, drinking from a bottle. Not a pretty picture. While this example is extreme the point is the same, growth is good. Change in business is also a given. It can include such things as new procedures, policy changes or new management. As a leader, how do you get your team excited about change?

You don't have to be a control-freak to have heard some truth in the phrase "if I want it done right, I have to do it myself." While the base thought may indicate an admirable expectation of excellence, you - no one - can be everywhere and doing everything, either in their business or in their lives. There is no need to be a superhero. Besides, even Batman has Alfred and Robin.

The good thing is, you don't have to do it all! Delegating to others is not only helpful, it is crucial for success.

Keep in mind, delegating is more than handing out "stuff off your to do list." People want more than a salary from their jobs, they want satisfaction, opportunity, growth. Effective delegation not only helps you get things done, it also helps provide those who work with and for you opportunities for personal and professional growth, and increased job satisfaction.

There are three types of bosses when it comes to employee morale: the boss who is very focused on keeping morale high, the kind who is solely worried about the job and neglects the morale aspect and lastly, the clueless boss which has the best of intentions for employee morale, but still inadvertently destroys it. Whichever you may be, morale is essential for employee retention, good productivity and a healthy work environment. If you feel like your workplace lacks any of these aspects, maybe it's time to reevaluate how you handle your employees.

When you own a business, motivation and communication become two of your biggest tools when working with your employees. These two concepts go hand in hand when you want your employees to become a trusted aspect of your business. The most important way to keep your employees motivated is to communicate with them. Let them know what’s going on with your company and make them a part of the decision-making process.

How does your company empower its employees? Many times, this question elicits solutions and actions: we implement open door policies with management; we conduct semi-annual performance reviews; we offer flexible work schedules and the opportunity to work remotely.

While all of these solutions can contribute to employee empowerment, it's important that any employee-focused program starts by answering the right question.