For Music Teachers Only:   The Do’s And Don’ts Of Delegation Michael Kumer, Dean School of Music, Duquesne University       High-achieving music teachers succeed by nurturing professional relationships with others. Delegation, the art of “not putting off until tomorrow what you can have someone else do today,” is one tool utilized by teachers who continually expand their own horizons and those of the people they serve.   If you are the kind of person who loves the challenge of constant personal and organizational improvement, then read on!       Here are some “Delegation Don’ts and Do’s” which will guide you in the direction of self-improvement:      1. Don’t feel you are the only one who can do the job correctly. Initially that is true: but how will you upgrade your own capacity for new and exciting work if you don’t train someone else to take some tasks?     2. Don’t embrace the myth that delegating takes too much time. Delegating takes practice and, with practice, becomes a refined skill that will save time.      3. Don’t think that you have to micro-manage every step of every project. You’re a success because you concentrate on RESULTS and encourage others to exercise creative freedom...within controlled and mutually agreed upon boundaries, of course.      4. Don’t expect perfection all the time. We are, first and foremost, teachers. As such, we’ve dedicated our lives to training, correcting, and motivating others. “Loving” the missteps of others (as well as our own) gives our, lives significance and purpose.      5. Don’t fear criticism. Anticipate some resistance to your new commitment to delegation from the people who matter the most. Understandable resistance, based on a fear of failure (or a fear of success), may soon be replaced by the excitement of taking on a new opportunity.      6. Do focus on high priority tasks for yourself (conducting, learning new repertory, and/or methodologies, etc.), while simultaneously searching for ways to delegate. Just because you’re the best floor-mopper doesn’t mean you should be on your knees all day!      7. Do devote sufficient time to your own evolving ability to effectively delegate.      8. Do become secure in the knowledge that others eventually may do certain jobs better than you. This security will become more deeply ingrained as you realize that your program, (and your personal life), will improve when positive results are obtained.      9. Do ensure that you’ve been specific in your instructions. Make very sure that measurable goals, (preferably in writing), exist, with mutual agreement from all parties. Ask yourself, “What is the desired result?”      10. Do follow-up. Check periodically on the progress of the assignment, thereby preventing any last minute surprises. Besides, your people are as new to this as you are: frequent feedback will motivate them to go farther than they thought possible.       Make a point of communicating delegated tasks. These “endorsements” will demonstrate your confidence in the people doing the job and will strengthen the network with others on whom you’re depending.       And if things go wrong (as invariably they will), don’t panic. As an esteemed colleague once said, “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move on.” Successful people spend a great deal of time assuming responsibility by “looking in the mirror.” Simply make an appropriate course correction and forge ahead. Greater satisfaction in your work, (and your life), will result.