Delegate vs. Delegee — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 1, 2024
A delegate is someone authorized to represent or act on behalf of others, while a delegee is the person to whom duties or powers are delegated.
Difference Between Delegate and Delegee
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A delegate acts as a representative, authorized to make decisions, vote, or perform specific duties on behalf of a group or another person. This term is often used in political, organizational, and business contexts where individuals are selected or elected to represent the interests of others. On the other hand, a delegee is the recipient of delegated authority or tasks. This person is chosen to carry out specific responsibilities that have been transferred to them by another, typically someone in a position of higher authority.
While a delegate is typically involved in decision-making processes, representing the will and interests of those who selected them, a delegee focuses on executing specific tasks or functions assigned to them. The concept of delegation here plays a dual role, highlighting the transfer of authority from one party to another and the assumption of responsibility for that authority. A delegate might participate in conferences, meetings, or voting processes, whereas a delegee works on accomplishing tasks or projects as directed.
In terms of responsibility, a delegate is answerable to the people or organization that chose them, expected to act in the best interest of their constituents or the entity they represent. Conversely, a delegee's primary responsibility is towards the delegate or the person who has passed on certain duties, ensuring that these tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. The relationship between a delegate and a delegee is characterized by trust, communication, and accountability, with each playing a distinct role within the delegation process.
The process of selection or election differentiates a delegate from a delegee. Delegates are often chosen through a formal process, reflecting the confidence and trust of those they represent. Delegees, however, are typically appointed based on their skills, expertise, or the capacity to fulfill specific duties. This distinction underscores the difference in how each is placed into their respective roles, with delegates embodying the collective will of a group, and delegees representing the trust of the delegator in their abilities.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A person authorized to act on behalf of others.
A person to whom duties or powers are delegated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Role
Representation and decision-making.
Execution of specific tasks or duties.
Focus
Interests of the group or individual represented.
Completion of assigned responsibilities.
Accountability
To the electing or selecting body.
To the delegate or authority delegating the tasks.
Selection Process
Often through election or formal selection.
Typically appointed based on skills or capacity.
Compare with Definitions
Delegate
Someone elected to represent others, as in a political assembly.
Delegates were elected by the community to negotiate on their behalf.
Delegee
A person assigned to perform tasks by another.
The supervisor named a delegee to handle the project in her stead.
Delegate
A representative chosen to attend and vote in meetings.
The company sent a delegate to the international conference to represent its interests.
Delegee
An individual who receives specific duties from a superior.
As a delegee, John was responsible for overseeing the audit process.
Delegate
A person designated to act for or represent another or others in a special event.
Each department will choose a delegate for the annual general meeting.
Delegee
A recipient of delegated authority for a particular function.
The delegee was given authority to sign documents on behalf of the manager.
Delegate
A representative with the power to vote or decide on policy.
Party delegates played a crucial role in the election process.
Delegee
Someone entrusted with carrying out designated responsibilities.
The delegee for the monthly report compilation was chosen for his attention to detail.
Delegate
An individual authorized to make decisions within specified boundaries.
The manager acted as a delegate in the absence of the CEO.
Delegee
An appointee responsible for specific tasks within an organization.
The committee appointed a delegee to manage the event logistics.
Delegate
A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy or agent.
Delegee
(US) A delegate.
Delegate
A representative to a conference or convention.
Delegate
A member of a House of Delegates, the lower house of the Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia legislature.
Delegate
An elected or appointed representative of a US territory in the House of Representatives who is entitled to speak but not vote.
Delegate
To authorize and send (another person) as one's representative.
Delegate
To commit or entrust to another
Delegate a task to a subordinate.
Delegate
A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.
Delegate
A representative at a conference, etc.
Delegate
(US) An appointed representative in some legislative bodies.
Delegate
(computing) A type of variable storing a reference to a method with a particular signature, analogous to a function pointer.
Delegate
2010|page=xxvi
Delegate
Goes one step further and encapsulates callbacks into callable objects called delegates.}}
Delegate
To authorize someone to be a delegate
Delegate
To commit a task to someone, especially a subordinate
Delegate
To give away authority over a subdomain; to allow someone else to create sub-subdomains of a subdomain of one's own
Delegate
Any one sent and empowered to act for another; one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a commissioner; a vicar.
Delegate
One elected by the people of a territory to represent them in Congress, where he has the right of debating, but not of voting.
Delegate
Sent to act for or represent another; deputed; as, a delegate judge.
Delegate
To send as one's representative; to empower as an ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to commission; to depute; to authorize.
Delegate
To intrust to the care or management of another; to transfer; to assign; to commit.
The delegated administration of the law.
Delegated executive power.
The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power, delegated by the people to the legislative.
Delegate
A person appointed or elected to represent others
Delegate
Transfer power to someone
Delegate
Give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)
Common Curiosities
Can a delegate also be a delegee?
Yes, a delegate can also be a delegee if they are given specific tasks by another authority, reflecting the dynamic and versatile roles individuals can play in different contexts.
How does one become a delegate?
One typically becomes a delegate through an election or formal selection process, where they are chosen to represent the interests of a group or organization.
What responsibilities do delegates have?
Delegates are responsible for representing the interests and will of those who selected them, making decisions, and participating in discussions or voting processes as representatives.
What are the main duties of a delegee?
The main duties of a delegee include carrying out the tasks, responsibilities, or functions assigned to them by their delegator.
What skills are important for a delegate?
Important skills for a delegate include communication, decision-making, representation, and the ability to act in the best interest of those they represent.
What role does trust play in the relationship between a delegate and a delegee?
Trust is foundational, as delegates rely on delegees to competently handle delegated tasks, and delegees trust delegates to provide clear instructions and necessary authority.
Can a delegee delegate tasks to others?
Depending on the authority given, a delegee may further delegate tasks, although this usually requires clear consent from the original delegator to ensure accountability.
What is a delegate?
A delegate is someone authorized to represent or act on behalf of a group, organization, or another individual, particularly in decision-making processes.
What distinguishes a delegee from a delegate?
A delegee is specifically assigned tasks or powers by another (often a delegate or authority), focusing on execution, while a delegate is chosen to represent or make decisions on behalf of others.
How is accountability determined for a delegate and a delegee?
A delegate is accountable to the people or body that chose them, whereas a delegee is accountable to the individual or authority who delegated them specific tasks.
Who is a delegee?
A delegee is a person to whom specific duties, responsibilities, or authority have been delegated by someone else.
How is the selection process different for delegates and delegees?
Delegates are typically selected through elections or formal selection processes, reflecting collective choice, while delegees are appointed based on their suitability for specific tasks.
What qualities make a good delegee?
A good delegee possesses skills relevant to the tasks assigned, reliability, the ability to follow instructions, and effective execution of responsibilities.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Scream vs. Yell
Next Comparison
Lintel vs. HeaderAuthor Spotlight
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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
