Responsibility vs.

Authority
One of the first things you learn in business is that when things go well, everyone wants the credit, but
when things fall apart, no one wants the blame. And most people prefer to wait until the outcome is
eminent to decide if they want the credit or not.

authority
The power and the right to control, command, or determine the actions of others.

Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for
violations: to have authority over subordinates. It is something that is delegated or given.

 Control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or
manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project.
 Influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's
character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through
persuasion: to have influence over one's friends.

authority without responsibility – what everyone wants

If I have authority but no responsibility, then I have the power and the right to control, command, or
determine the actions of others, but I am not answerable or accountable for the outcome.

 If the outcome is great, then I will take the credit because I made the decisions that caused the
great outcome.
 If the outcome is poor, then I will avoid the blame because I was not responsible for
implementing the decisions that were made.

responsibility
Answerable or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management (often fol. by
to or for): He is responsible to the president for his decisions.

responsibility without authority – what no one wants

If I have responsibility but no authority, then I am answerable or accountable for something that is not
really within my power or control. (It doesn’t even fit the definition of responsible)

 If the outcome is great, then my superior will take credit for it because he or she made the
decisions that caused the great outcome.
 If the outcome is poor, then I will be blamed because I was responsible for implementing the
decisions that were made by my superiors.

authority with responsibility – what everyone should have

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Responsibility vs. Authority
If I have authority and responsibility, then I have been given the power and the right to control,
command, or determine the actions of other people to accomplish the desired outcome that I know I
will be answerable or accountable for.

 If the outcome is great, then I will accept the credit because I made the decisions that led to
the great outcome.
 If the outcome is poor, then I will accept the blame because I was responsible for implementing
the decisions that were made.

Boss has authority, but no responsibility, and Subordinate has responsibility but no authority

If I don’t give you the authority you need, you will have to keep coming to me to get authority each time
you need to make a decision. This arrangement keeps me in power. In effect, I get to make decisions
for you but I get to shield myself from blame if things go badly by sending the message that one of my
employees went rogue, etc. Also, if things go well, because I have retained my authority, I will gladly
step in and take credit for your success. Whether the project is a success or a failure, I win and you lose.

As the subordinate, I must have the authority to make that changes needed to achieve the results asked
of me (my responsibility). If I have to keep going to the boss to get the authority, then I don’t have the
authority. And if I don’t have the authority, I can’t be responsible for the results.

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