Authority vs Responsibility: Key Differences

Having authority and responsibility go hand-in-hand, as the former allows a person to legally give orders to their subordinates while the latter entails the duty of performing a job. While both superiors and subordinates share the responsibility of completing tasks, only those in a superior position have the power to give orders and enforce compliance.

In this article, you will learn about both authority and responsibility with the help of examples and key differences between both of them.

What is authority?

Rewritten fragment 4: Legitimate authority refers to the power to influence individuals and compel them to carry out assigned tasks. This kind of authority can be granted by government officials, business owners, or representatives of a higher power. For instance, a group of people may have the power to punish a criminal, but only those with legitimate authority have the right to do so.

The power to enforce rules and regulations rests with the law. Likewise, within an organization, a manager holds the power to ensure that tasks are completed by their subordinates.

Nevertheless, the manager's authority is confined to their specific department within the organization. They do not hold any sway over their employees outside of the organization.

The position one holds in an organization determines their level of authority. In order to occupy a superior position, one must possess authority. As such, it follows that the degree of authority is greatest at the topmost level and decreases progressively as it goes down. This implies that only those at the highest level have the power to issue commands to those at lower levels and ensure compliance with assigned tasks. Conversely, individuals at lower levels lack the authority to give orders to their superiors or colleagues at the same level.

What is the Responsibility?

Authority can take on two forms: official authority, which is granted to an individual by the organization they work for, and personal authority, which is earned through their ability to sway and influence others within the organization.

It is essential for every employee, regardless of their position, to understand that they have a moral duty to fulfill the tasks assigned to them. This sense of responsibility begins as soon as the job is given to the employee and continues until the task is completed. Meeting these obligations is crucial for the success of any organization.

One's performance in a task is directly tied to their accountability for the outcome. This accountability is accompanied by a level of authority.

The success of a task ultimately falls on the shoulders of the manager, who is held responsible for its completion. As we move up the hierarchy of an organization, the level of responsibility increases from lower-level employees to upper management.

The concept of responsibility in an organization stems from the hierarchical structure of superior and subordinate relationships. As a result of these relationships, managers are able to delegate tasks to their subordinates while still maintaining accountability.

Difference between authority and responsibility

AuthorityResponsibility

Authority is derived from one's official position, role, or job, granting them power or rights. In contrast, responsibilities are obligations that employees must fulfill in relation to their superior. While authority stems from a formal position within an organization, responsibilities arise from the hierarchical structure of the workplace.

An authority is a legal right given to a person.A responsibility is consequence of authority.

It is a delegation of authority.It is an assumption of responsibility.

Authority flows from higher levels to lower levels, while responsibility flows from lower levels to higher levels. The possession of authority entails the capability to issue commands, whereas the possession of responsibility necessitates the capability to execute those commands.

Authority has a lasting effect, whereas responsibility comes to an end once the assigned task is completed. The purpose of authority is to make sound decisions and execute them efficiently, while the purpose of responsibility is to carry out assigned duties to the best of one's ability under the guidance of superiors.

Conclusion – Authority and Responsibility

Authority and responsibility are interconnected and should be viewed as two parts of the same whole. To ensure successful completion of a task, it is crucial to delegate some level of responsibility to a subordinate. This not only empowers the subordinate but also fosters a sense of accountability and ownership over the task at hand.

It is imperative to understand that authority and responsibility go hand in hand. Without accountability for one's actions, authority alone cannot ensure success in the workplace. Striking a balance between the two is crucial for effective management and achieving desired outcomes. This balance is especially significant at different levels within an organization, where both authority and responsibility may vary.