Compare and contrast authority power responsibility and acco

Compare and contrast authority, power, responsibility, and accountability. How are these terms related and how are they different?

Solution

Authority = It is right to exercise control and give orders in order to manage the organizational work. It is the decision making power and right to give orders. It is the legitimate exercise of power

Power = It is the possession of control either through formal authority, personality or knowledge. Hence, it is the ability to make others do something which they might not have done otherwise

Responsibility = It is duty assigned to an individual and has an obligation to fulfill the same. It is like a guideline issued. It cannot be delegated

Accountability = It is the liability or answerability for any work or performance. When a person is given authority, they are made accountable for that work

These terms are related to each other too. When a person is given Authority, they have the power to make a person do things which was not possible otherwise. With Authority, there are responsibilities attached to carry out work fulfill organizational objectives. Ultimately, the person exercising authority is accountable for all the actions done by them or team. So, all these things go hand in hand. Authority without responsibility is very dangerous and Responsibility without Authority is meaningless.