What is the difference between authority and responsibility?

• A. Authority is power to act; responsibility is being accountable for what happens.
• B. Authority is accountability for outcomes; responsibility is power to act.
• C. They are interchangeable.
• D. Authority has no bearing on actions.

Answer: (A)

Authority is the power to act and make decisions within a defined scope. Responsibility is being accountable for the outcomes of those actions and for ensuring the task is performed correctly and safely.

In practice, having authority means you can authorize actions, allocate resources, and direct others within your authorized limits. Responsibility means you are answerable for what happens as a result, including safety, compliance, and performance. A person can have authority to decide and act, but they are still responsible for the results of those decisions. Conversely, someone might be responsible for a task but not have the authority to change how it’s done, which can create accountability without real power to influence outcomes.

So the difference is clear: authority is the power to act; responsibility is the obligation to ensure proper outcomes and to answer for them.