Authority vs. Responsibility — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
Authority refers to the power to make decisions or enforce obedience, while Responsibility entails the duty to handle tasks or obligations.
Difference Between Authority and Responsibility
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Authority is the right or power assigned to an individual or entity to make decisions, guide others, or command actions within a particular scope or context. Responsibility, on the other hand, is the obligation to execute tasks, uphold commitments, and ensure outcomes meet specific standards or expectations.
In organizational structures, those with authority are often decision-makers, holding the power to shape actions, strategies, or policies. Responsibility, however, is dispersed across various roles, ensuring that each individual or team delivers on their commitments and plays their part in achieving objectives.
Authority can be granted or delegated by higher powers, and it often comes with corresponding levels of accountability. Responsibility is a duty or assignment, which can be shared, transferred, or assumed, and is often accompanied by an expectation of completion or fulfillment.
Having authority does not always mean one has the largest set of responsibilities, and vice versa. A person might have the authority to make a decision but may delegate the responsibility of implementing it to someone else.
Ethically, the exercise of authority should be judicious and fair. In contrast, responsibility necessitates diligence, commitment, and a sense of ownership, ensuring tasks or obligations are met to the best of one's ability.
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Compare with Definitions
Authority
Decision-making Power: The ability to make and enforce decisions.
The manager has the authority to approve or reject the proposal.
Responsibility
Accountability for Outcomes: Answerability for results or consequences.
The responsibility for the error lies with me.
Authority
Legitimized Influence: Power recognized by others due to position or expertise.
The doctor's authority in medical matters is respected by patients.
Responsibility
Obligation to Act: Duty to perform or complete a task.
It's my responsibility to finish the report on time.
Authority
Command Control: The ability to guide, instruct, or direct.
The captain has full authority over the ship's crew.
Responsibility
Moral Duty: Ethical obligation to act in a certain manner.
We have a responsibility to help those in need.
Authority
In the fields of sociology and political science, authority is the legitimate power that a person or a group of persons possess and practice over other people. In a civil state, authority is made formal by way of a judicial branch and an executive branch of government.In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power are inaccurate synonyms.
Responsibility
Custodianship: The role of overseeing or taking care of something.
The librarian has the responsibility of maintaining the book collection.
Authority
The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.
Responsibility
Task Ownership: Having control and duty over a specific task.
Responsibility for organizing the event was given to Jenna.
Authority
One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials
Land titles issued by the civil authority.
Responsibility
The state, quality, or fact of being responsible.
Authority
Power assigned to another; authorization
Deputies were given authority to make arrests.
Responsibility
A duty or obligation that one is responsible for.
Authority
A public agency or corporation with administrative powers in a specified field
A city transit authority.
Responsibility
An expense, debt, or financial burden that one must pay.
Authority
An accepted source of expert information or advice
A noted authority on birds.
A reference book often cited as an authority.
Responsibility
The amount of such expense, debt, or financial burden.
Authority
A quotation or citation from such a source
Biblical authorities for a moral argument.
Responsibility
The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable. 18
Responsibility is a heavy burden.
Authority
Justification; grounds
On what authority do you make such a claim?.
Responsibility
The state of being liable, culpable, or responsible for something in particular.
Authority
A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent.
Responsibility
A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable.
Why didn't you clean the house? That was your responsibility!
Authority
Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience
Political observers who acquire authority with age.
Responsibility
(military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.
Authority
Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance
Played the sonata with authority.
Responsibility
(military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual.
Authority
(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules or give orders; or a position having such power or right.
I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.
She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.
Respect my authority!
Responsibility
The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation.
Authority
(plural) Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.
Responsibility
That for which anyone is responsible or accountable; as, the resonsibilities of power.
Authority
(countable) A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
The world's foremost authority on orangutans
My cheap dictionary is not the authority on word derivations.
Responsibility
Ability to answer in payment; means of paying.
Authority
(uncountable) Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
Some thinkers regard appealing to authority as a logical fallacy; others regard it as a legitimate form of argument.
Responsibility
The social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force;
We must instill a sense of duty in our children
Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty
Authority
Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
Responsibility
The proper sphere or extent of your activities;
It was his province to take care of himself
Authority
(countable) A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.
New York Port Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Responsibility
A form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct;
He holds a position of great responsibility
Authority
Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
Thus can the demigod, Authority,Make us pay down for our offense.
By what authority doest thou these things ?
Authority
Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
Authority
The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
Authority
That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discernAuthority for sin, warrant for blame.
Authority
The power or right to give orders or make decisions;
He has the authority to issue warrants
Deputies are given authorization to make arrests
Authority
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others;
The authorities have issued a curfew
Authority
An expert whose views are taken as definitive;
He is an authority on corporate law
Authority
Freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities;
His assurance in his superiority did not make him popular
After that failure he lost his confidence
She spoke with authority
Authority
An administrative unit of government;
The Central Intelligence Agency
The Census Bureau
Office of Management and Budget
Tennessee Valley Authority
Authority
Official permission or approval;
Authority for the program was renewed several times
Authority
An authoritative written work;
This book is the final authority on the life of Milton
Authority
Jurisdictional Right: The power to govern or rule in a specific area.
The local police have authority within city limits.
Authority
Delegated Power: Power given by a higher entity.
The assistant has been granted authority in the manager's absence.
Common Curiosities
Is responsibility always tied to a position of authority?
No, even individuals without authoritative positions can have responsibilities.
Who typically grants authority within an organization?
Higher-level management or stakeholders usually grant authority.
What is the primary difference between authority and responsibility?
Authority is about power and decision-making, while responsibility is about duty and task fulfillment.
Can someone have authority without responsibility?
Yes, someone can have the power to decide (authority) but delegate the duty of execution (responsibility) to others.
Are leaders always the ones with the most authority?
Not necessarily. While leaders often have significant authority, others can hold specialized authority based on expertise or role.
Can someone decline a responsibility?
Yes, individuals can decline responsibilities, though there may be consequences depending on the context.
Is authority always formalized?
While authority is often formalized in organizational settings, informal authority can arise from expertise or experience.
Can a person be held accountable without responsibility?
It's rare, but possible. Accountability is usually linked to responsibility, but one can be held accountable for actions within their sphere of influence or authority.
Can authority be taken back once given?
Yes, authority can be revoked or reassigned based on performance or organizational changes.
Can responsibility be shared?
Yes, responsibilities can be shared among individuals or teams.
What happens if responsibilities are not met?
Failure to meet responsibilities can lead to consequences, ranging from loss of trust to formal penalties.
Is it ethical to misuse authority?
No, the misuse of authority is considered unethical and can harm trust and organizational culture.
How can responsibility be effectively managed?
Clear communication, setting expectations, and providing necessary resources help in effective management of responsibility.
Why is it important to differentiate between authority and responsibility?
Differentiating ensures clarity in roles, decision-making, and task execution, promoting efficiency and accountability.
How is responsibility linked to accountability?
Responsibility is the duty to act, while accountability is answerability for the outcomes of those actions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
