“You are responsible and accountable for this…” This sometimes chilling statement, especially in situations where things have gone wrong, is defining.

It is important for actors in organizations to identify those aspects of their roles that they cannot delegate. I often say, you can delegate authority to someone else to perform a function but you cannot delegate the responsibility and accountability you have towards the structures that you report, to someone else… Anyone with me?

The risk of thinking that your position will save you from the wrath simply because you had someone do the work on your behalf is that you will be all alone up there… exposed to the elements.

Understanding and embracing responsibility and accountability is the key to effective delegation.