Authority, Responsibility & Accountability – The Trinity! 🔱

Imagine: You give your friend your car keys.

1. Authority: You gave him the power to drive.
2. Responsibility: He has the duty to drive safely.
3. Accountability: If he crashes, he must answer to you!

In management, these three ALWAYS go together.

1. Authority (The Power ⚡)

Definition: The right to give orders and the power to exact obedience.

• Flow: Downwards (Boss → Subordinate).
• Source: Your position (e.g., "I am the CEO, so I have authority").

2. Responsibility (The Duty 📝)

Definition: The obligation of a subordinate to perform the assigned duty.

• Flow: Upwards (Subordinate owes it to Boss).
• Rule: You cannot delegate all responsibility.

3. Accountability (The Answerability 🗣️)

Definition: Being answerable for the final outcome.

• Crucial Rule: Accountability cannot be delegated!
• Example:
  • The CEO tells the Manager: "Get 100 sales."
  • The Manager tells the Salesman: "Get 100 sales."
  • Salesman fails.
  • Who is Accountable to the CEO? The Manager! He can't say "It's the salesman's fault." The CEO will fire the Manager.

The Relationship Diagram 🔄

Parity of Authority and Responsibility ⚖️

Fayol's Principle: Authority must equal Responsibility.

• Scenario A (Authority > Responsibility):
  • Manager has power to spend ₹1 Crore but no specific target.
  • Result: Misuse of funds. Corruption.
• Scenario B (Responsibility > Authority):
  • Manager told "Increase sales by 50%" but "You cannot hire anyone or spend money."
  • Result: Frustration. Failure.

Balance is Key!

Quiz Time! 🎯

💡 Final Wisdom: "You can delegate authority, you can delegate responsibility, but you can NEVER delegate accountability. The buck stops with YOU!" 🛑✋

Next up: Delegation of Authority - How to share your burden without losing control! 🤝