“Do what you do best and delegate the rest”

“Do what you do best and delegate the rest” is a popular rhyming management adage. “Do the parts of your job that you like or do best — chances are, they’re the same — and delegate the rest” was cited in print in 1984. “Management style: Do what you do best and delegate the rest” was cited in print in 1996.
 
“Do what you do best and delegate the rest” has not been credited with any one particular person for authorship of the saying.
 
   
Google Books
Inside Moves:
Corporate Smarts for Women on the Way Up
By Marilyn Machlowitz
Boulder, CO: CareerTrack Publications
1984
Pg. 177:
Do the parts of your job that you like or do best — chances are, they’re the same — and delegate the rest.
   
12 October 1986, Mobile (AL) Press Register, “Dr. Kennedy put on hot seat at MCO fund-raising roast” by Kathy Dean, pg. 3-B, col. 1:
“She says, ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall; what’s the meaning of it all?’ And the mirror replies, ‘Do only what you do well and do your very best; then delegate the rest.’”
 
Google Books
Success and Time Management
By Howard Wight
San Francisco, CA: Wight Financial Concepts Corp.
1992
Pg. 93:
Effective individuals do what they do best and delegate the rest.
 
1 December 1996, The Deseret News (Salt Lake City, UT), “Executive Focus: David Mansell”:
Management style: Do what you do best and delegate the rest.
 
Google News Archive
‎13 August 2002, The Vindicator (Youngstown, OH), “Horoscope—Scorpio,” pg. C9, col. 5:
Work seems more complicated that it really is. Do your best, and delegate the rest. Letting experts handle what falls under their expertise costs more now but is cheaper in the long run.
 
YouTube
Focus on What You Do Best, Delegate the Rest
BakerDonelsonOnline
Published on May 11, 2012
David Rieveschl, shareholder at Baker Donelson, explains why “delegate early and often” is a key mantra for entrepreneurs.
 
YouTube
Do What You Do Best and Delegate the Rest
Brendan Wenzel
Published on Feb 20, 2013
http://brendanwenzel.com
“Most people spend 90% of their time on what they’re not best at and what they don’t like doing - and only 10% of their time on their best and most enjoyable ability. Geniuses delegate the 90%... and spend all their time on their ‘unique ability’.” - excerpt from Kekich Credos by Dave Kekich
 
THe National (United Arab Emirates)
Spanx billionaire stretched herself and hit the jackpot
Janelle Malone
May 18, 2013
(...)
There’s an old saying: “Do what you do best and delegate the rest”. Know what your top strengths are. Focus at least 80 per cent of your time on using your key talents that bring you income.